By Rhiannon Ansemous Introduction Across the UK, individuals with autism and learning disabilities are supported by services that are expected to promote safety, wellbeing, and a meaningful life. Yet in many settings, the concept of “risk” has become a dominant organising force—often at the expense of autonomy, dignity, and happiness (Beadle-Brown et al., 2016; CQC, 2020). When risk management eclipses a person’s right to joy, connection, and agency, the result is not safety,

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

In this article, Professor Andrew McDonnell comments on the court case against 9 members of staff from Whorlton Hall exposed by BBC Panorama

This excerpt from a recent practitioner article looks at some of the issues residential services can face, including toxic working environments, safeguarding violations and abusive practices, and attempts to discuss the wider implications of poor practice for care services across the UK. Toxic cultures can grow in many care environments, including residential services and schools Introduction At Studio 3 Clinical Services and Training Systems, we have worked with a wide range