Trushali
- 30 August 2026
Lancashire County Council responds to fears over falling adoption rates after Preston Davey tragedy
By Richard Hunt
Published 30th Aug 2026, 17:00 BST
“We are committed to finding safe, loving and permanent homes for children.”
Fears that the tragic case of Preston Davey has led to a decline in the number of people coming forward to adopt have been dispelled by Lancashire’s main adoption agency.
Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool accepts that the number of children needing adoption is much greater than the availability of families looking to adopt.
The tragic case of Preston Davey has not impacted on adoption figures, say officials | National World
However, the agency, which is run in partnership with three local authorities, host authority Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, says the case has had no bearing on the figures.
The horrific and tragic case of little Preston culminated in his killer, former teacher Jamie Varley, 37, being given a whole-life order on June 18 after being found guilty of murder, child cruelty, sexual offences and indecent images relating to the 13-month-old toddler.
Varley and his partner, John McGowan-Fazakerley, 32, who was convicted of offences included causing or allowing Preston’s death, and sentenced to 25 years, were in the process of formally adopting the youngster.
After the case concluded, a probe began into how the pair were accepted as adoption candidates by Adoption Now, a company providing services to Greater Manchester councils, including the toddler’s home authority, Oldham Council.
A spokesman for Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool, who were not connected with the adoption of Preston Davey, said: “Based on the data available, there is nothing to suggest the tragic case involving Preston Davey has had a direct impact on the number of people coming forward to explore adoption.
“Our thoughts remain with those affected by his tragic death.
“We are committed to finding safe, loving and permanent homes for children, and our staff make sure that every child has the best possible chance of finding the right family.
“Our latest figures show that at the end of July, 81 children across Lancashire and Blackpool were waiting for an adoptive family, highlighting the continuing need for more people to come forward and consider adoption.
“We continue to make good progress and approved 41 adoptive families during 2025-26, with a further 14 families approved already this year (2026-27).
“We are following national trends in terms of the number of enquiries received and the number of adoptive parents who are approved, with the expected number of people attending information events in July.”
The spokesman added: “Before making a formal enquiry to adopt with us, potential adoptive parents need to attend one of our information events.”
The next events are on Wednesday September 2, 6pm – 7:30pm at County Hall in Preston and on Saturday September 19, 10:30am – 12pm in Burnley, with the exact location to be confirmed soon.