Wolverhampton mum takes fight for CCTV in SEND schools to Downing Street
Charlotte Orlowski's autistic son, Tobie, was attacked by a teaching assistant at his school.
Last updated 21st Feb 2025
A woman whose autistic son was attacked by a teaching assistant at his school in Wolverhampton is taking her campaign for mandatory CCTV in all special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools to Downing Street.
Tobie Orlowski was subjected to a 20-minute assault whilst on the playground at school in 2023, which was caught on camera. He was kicked, pushed and had his head held down.
Tobie's attacker, William Kevin Clifford, 61, was given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to child cruelty.
A petition calling for CCTV to be put into all SEND settings has been signed by more than 77,000 people. It will be handed into Number 10 on Friday (21 Feb) by Charlotte.
Speaking to us about Tobie's ordeal, Charlotte said: "It was a very brutal attack, and it was only caught by chance on CCTV that was meant really for if the school is burgled or vandalised.
"Tobie is almost completely non-verbal, he can just say our names, but he would no way be able to communicate that fear or certainly come home and tell me what had happened to him that day at school."
Charlotte said the attack has had a long-lasting impact on her son: "Nearly two years down the line, Tobie is a completely different boy.
"He already has his difficulties with his autism. Being attacked like this just seems absolutely, utterly inhumane to me."
Charlotte is being supported with her petition by Emma Dalmayne from Autistic Inclusive Meets, an organisation based in London.
Emma said: "Another autistic child was attacked by a trusted person, this time a teachers assistant who thankfully was caught on CCTV, but what if the prolonged 20-minute attack hadn't been filmed?
"In our view, it's imperative that visual monitoring be put in place anywhere that vulnerable young people are cared for."
Charlotte said Tobie's school, where he still attends, have been very supportive and worked hard to help him feel comfortable again following his attack.
Currently, there are no rules on CCTV in schools and it is down to individual sites to decide whether to have cameras installed.