There are many home and living support options the NDIS can fund. In this article, we will take a look at one of these options - supported independent living providers.
SIL is for people who need help with their day-to-day tasks, such as cooking meals or cleaning. It is most commonly used in a shared home setting and provides onsite support 24/7.
Accommodation
If you or a loved one has a disability and is looking for a place to live, you may wish to consider SIL accommodation. This type of housing offers a variety of accommodation options, including boarding houses and shared living arrangements, as well as specialised disability accommodation.
SIL accommodation is ideal for individuals who want to have the independence of their own home but need some support with daily tasks. Depending on your disability, you might need assistance with activities of daily living or personal care. This can include helping you to manage finances, prepare meals, and access community events.
Your NDIS planner will discuss your needs and determine if SIL accommodation is reasonable and necessary. If not, your planner will look at other home and living supports instead, such as Personal Care Supports. You can also speak with your local area coordinator or allied health professional for more information about SIL accommodation providers in your area.
Supports
The main goal of supported independent living is to help you live independently in your own home. This means you get to spend more time with your family because a friendly and skilled Direct Support Professional can help you with your day-to-day tasks.
Supports that are available through SIL include support coordination, personal care, respite and community habilitation. There are also environmental modifications, such as installing ramps and handrails or modifying doorways to improve access. CILs can also provide advocacy, employment, peer support and counseling.
SIL is generally best for people with higher support needs, as it enables them to build skills to live more independently. However, it’s important to note that SIL isn’t the only option for people who have high support needs. There are other home and living supports, such as personal care, community participation and housing subsidies, which might be better suited to your unique situation. If you’re interested in finding out more about your options, talk to an NDIS planner or local area coordinator.
Choosing a SIL provider
When it comes to SIL, there’s a lot that goes into making it work for you. Your planner will help you to find a suitable provider and then you’ll work together to develop a roster of care. This is a document that shows the SIL supports you’ll receive throughout the week, on weekends and overnight, and how these will fit into your home.
Your planner will also help you decide whether you’ll live in a shared home and if so, how many other participants will share the house. Your SIL provider will then prepare a roster of care and service agreement for the NDIA to approve.
It’s important to remember that SIL is different from core and capacity-building support services. It’s not possible to use your regular NDIS funding for a SIL budget, and you can’t have a combined SDA/SIL budget. That’s why it’s important to consider how SIL will work with your current plan.
Getting started
A supported independent living (SIL) arrangement offers a unique and empowering solution for individuals with disability. This NDIS-funded service combines independence with care, so you can get help with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of your personal needs.
A SIL provider will create a roster of support that outlines what help you need and when. This will be agreed upon by you and the provider and will usually be written in half-hour blocks.
Having the right amount of support can make all the difference in your quality of life. SIL can be cost-effective, and is an excellent alternative to group homes. It also gives people the opportunity to socialise and interact with others on a regular basis, which can improve their mental health.
