Article by Professor Andy McDonnell The recent HIQA report about the social care organisation Sunbeam House makes for very sobering reading. As a practitioner who has worked with both large and small organisations supporting people with intellectual disabilities and distressed behaviour for over 30 years, at times I experience déjà vu. Many who read the February 2025 report from HIQA may be reminded of the RTE documentary of 2014, Inside Bungalow 3, which exposed similar coer

At Studio 3, our model centres on reducing conflict in all its forms. Our practitioners and trainers are often on the frontline, supporting people in moments of crisis. They are called not just to advise, but to model what calm, compassionate practice looks like in the most challenging circumstances. Fear is contagious. When people are distressed or behave in ways that feel unpredictable, staff can become anxious and lose confidence. Our role is to help steady the environment

Jane is a 38 year old woman who lives on her own. She has had several mental health crises over the years and has had multiple diagnoses such as borderline personality disorder depression, bi polar disorder. These have caused her great confusion. She even said to someone close to her 'am I mad?' She has struggled to maintain work and she can be impulsive and describes herself as 'manic" After a referral to the Studio3 Team who conducted a diagnostic assessment for autism it b