Ten families sue Waltham Forest Council over 'calming room' abuse

Ten families, including that of Ricardo Gloria, are pursuing legal action against Flourish Learning Trust and the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The claims relate to the alleged mistreatment of children with special educational needs and disabilities in 'calming rooms' at Whitefield School between 2014 and 2017.

Discovery of 'calming rooms'

Ricardo Gloria, a former prison officer, first discovered the rooms, which he described as padded cells without windows or light. His son, David, who has Asperger's Syndrome, reported being locked away in these rooms for hours without food or toilet breaks. Mr Gloria told his family that David would come home distressed and sometimes wet from accidents.

Mr Gloria stated that he demanded to see the rooms in March 2015 after his son described his experiences. Upon viewing them, he was shocked, comparing them to cells used for hardened criminals. He noted the presence of a CCTV camera and was later shown footage that he found horrifying. The video reportedly showed staff dragging his son into the room screaming and shouting.

The footage, which lasted three hours and 45 minutes, showed David Gloria swearing and begging to be released, and asking to use the toilet, only to have his requests ignored. Mr Gloria stated he could only watch for an hour and a half before confronting the teachers, expressing his anger and disappointment.

Wider abuse and investigation

Despite Mr Gloria's concerns raised in 2015, the alleged mistreatment continued until an Ofsted report in 2017. Shocking CCTV footage later emerged, reportedly showing autistic children being pushed, thrown to the floor, restrained by the neck, and left alone in vomit. It is believed that 39 children were identified as having been placed in these rooms.

Many parents did not become aware of the full extent of the situation until 2022, when the Metropolitan Police began an investigation after discovering approximately 500 hours of recorded content on a memory stick. A criminal investigation by the Met Police concluded without any charges being brought against any individual.

Legal action and claims

The ten families are now taking civil legal action against Flourish Learning Trust, which operated the specialist school, and Waltham Forest Council. Their claims include allegations of breach of duty of care, false imprisonment, and breaches of human rights. The families allege their loved ones were treated 'worse than dogs'.

Ricardo Gloria, now 48, and his wife Denise, 47, moved to England in 2001. Their son David was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. He joined Whitefield School at age six in 2009, with the family believing it was the best place to address his needs.

The legal action follows revelations that emerged after new management took over the school. Some of the footage was leaked to BBC Panorama. Families viewed much of the footage at a special screening organised by the police.