Preston's Law: A Foster Mother's Call for Mandatory Safeguarding After the Tragic Murder of Baby Preston Davey
- Staff Correspondent
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
The horrific murder of 13-month-old Preston Davey in July 2023 has sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of the UK's child safeguarding system, particularly around adoptions. Preston, born in June 2022, was taken into care shortly after birth due to concerns about his biological mother's circumstances. He was placed with foster carers and later adopted by Jamie Varley, a secondary school teacher, and his partner John McGowan-Fazakerley in April 2023. Just months later, Preston died after suffering months of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the hands of his adoptive parents.
Varley was convicted of murder, sexual offences, and cruelty to a child, receiving a whole-life prison sentence. McGowan-Fazakerley was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and sexual assault, and sentenced to 25 years. The case exposed alleged missed opportunities by professionals to intervene despite signs of harm.
The Birth of Preston's Law Petition
In response to this tragedy, Dawn—a foster carer with over 14 years of experience and now a residential childcare worker—launched a Change.org petition calling for the introduction of "Preston’s Law." This proposed legislation would mandate structured, ongoing safeguarding follow-ups for all adopted children, moving beyond initial placement checks.
Key demands include:
Regular reassessments of the child’s wellbeing and safety.
Mandatory welfare checks, potentially including unannounced visits.
A new "Preston Trigger" mechanism for enhanced oversight and accountability.
Dawn emphasizes that the goal is not to stigmatize adoptive or foster parents, who provide loving homes for many vulnerable children, but to ensure better support and protection for those who have already faced instability. The petition highlights that children do not stop needing safeguarding once legally adopted.
As of late June 2026, the petition had gathered tens of thousands of signatures, with media coverage amplifying calls for reform.
Public and Political Response FOR Preston's Law
The case has galvanized public support, with many signing petitions and demanding systemic change. And yet they seen @ChrisWebbMP everyone jumped in and signed? Media supported it…. Celebs… What was crazy was his government had already said an inquiry was being done why ask the public to sign? Anyway this one was set up by a foster mother.
Local MP Chris Webb has backed a separate petition calling for a national inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Preston's death and broader failures in the care and adoption system.
Broader Implications for Child Protection with in Preston's Law
Preston's story echoes past high-profile failures in child protection, such as the Baby P case, raising questions about risk assessment in adoptions, monitoring post-placement, and the pressures on social services. Advocates argue that while adoption provides permanence, it should not mean reduced oversight for children with complex backgrounds.
Preston’s Law represents a grassroots push to close perceived gaps. Whether it leads to legislative change will depend on government response, ongoing inquiries, and sustained public pressure.
Supporters can sign the petition here: Change.org - Introduce Preston's Law.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need to prioritize the most vulnerable. Reforms like Preston’s Law could help ensure no other child falls through the cracks.
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