Supported Independent Living

Supported Independent Living (SIL) refers to living arrangements for NDIS participants and it includes those who:

  • Live in their own home
  • Live with a group of other participants who have similar capabilities

SIL participants receive support through the NDIS with regard to their daily needs and also overnight care.

In many cases, those with SIL arrangements attend day programs with an external provider on a regular basis.

Who Can Access SIL?

SIL is available to both children and adult NDIS participants. People may have funding in their first NDIS plan, with or without an Occupational Therapist assessment. However, an OT is usually involved.

All About You Supports primarily supports adult NDIS participants access SIL.

Each NDIS participants’ plan will outline what services are approved as a part of their funding.

Participants are no longer required to transition into an aged care program after 65 years of age (provided they are already an existing NDIS participant before their 65th birthday).

A Wonderful Success Story

We’ve recently completed the transition phase for an NDIS participant who has moved into their ‘forever home’.

We managed the transition phase for five months, and now they are paired with a provider who was able to meet their needs in one of their already-established homes. It took four to five months, but the participant is now in a comfortable, safe and suitable home.

The person reported they are very happy and proud to be living independently while having a support network to help them soar to new heights and achieve their meaningful goals.

What We Do

Our role varies depending upon the individual client, their capacity and their environment. We can provide assistance with:

  • Identifying suitable accommodation
  • Reviewing existing supports
  • Equipment requirements
  • Assistive technology
  • Communicating with the NDIS regarding funding applications and approval
  • Mobilising or accessing the community
  • Developing functional capacity

Our services are holistic in nature and we are able to coordinate all types of professionals that will be reasonable and necessary for the participant to live their best life!

Where Can I Live?

All About You Supports can help people obtain SIL accommodation all throughout NSW.

Please contact our office to learn more about our vacancies.

How SIL Works

Please start the process by contacting our office, or by calling us on 4915 6771.

We begin by having a discussion with the participant about their requirements. In many cases, it will be appropriate for their carer to be present too.

We will contact a support coordinator or an NDIS planner, and the NDIS will often undertake a transition plan. Each transition plan involves a number of reports including:

  • A Functional Assessment (completed by an Occupational Therapist)
  • A Speech Assessment (completed by a Speech Pathologist)
  • A psychology overview or behaviour intervention plan.

The participant can also stay at one of our residences for two to three nights in order for us to provide a report detailing how they interact with others and how they manage during the day and at night.

Following these reports, the NDIS will make a determination as to whether SIL is appropriate and a quote will be submitted to the NDIS by the SIL provider.

Are there Options for a Shorter-Term?

SIL is geared towards long term accommodation, many participants live at their SIL accommodation for years.

In most cases, we work towards setting up a new, long-term home for the participant. This may be together with one or two other suitable NDIS participants as well, if appropriate.

If you would prefer a shorter-term stay. Please navigate to our Short Term Accommodation page to learn more.

Why Choose AAYS?

When we see our clients happy and settled in their new home we find it incredibly rewarding.

We see them experiencing the kind of independence that comes with supported living, and the empowered feeling that it brings them.

We are a highly experienced team with a focus on participant-directed care. Contact us to see if we can find you SIL accommodation to help you soar.

Supported Independent Living FAQ

  • Is SIL a sub-service of plan management or support coordination or both?

    SIL is agency-managed, meaning that an agency will pay the provider weekly.

  • Does AAYS organise the medical assessments required for SIL? 

    Yes. We will collaborate with a range of different health professionals and services.

    During the transition phase, we will consult with:

    • Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Dietetics, Occupational Therapists, Nutritionists, Speech Pathologists, Orthotists, etc)
    • Other medical professionals
    • Family, consented guardians and/or carers.

    This is a comprehensive process and is undertaken in conjunction with the NDIS support coordinator, who works together with the SIL provider.

  • What does AAYS take into account when setting up a house for someone? 

    We believe that the participant should have autonomy over key decisions about their home. We discuss factors such as which area the house should be in and what type of home they would like.

    We then consider the elements that will make a house suitable, including:

    • Home Modifications required to ensure the property is safe to access, live in and suitable to help them achieve their goals
    • Matching with suitable residents and catering to our participant’s preferences
    • Assistive equipment or furniture requirements (such as bedding, cushions etc)

    To achieve these things, we consult with an Occupational Therapist during the transition phase. This enables us to make sure the premises is completely ready for the participant before they move in.

    SIL often involves two stages: a transition phase, and then a completion phase. The transition phase can last from one week to one year; this will depend upon a number of factors.

    SIL is typically accessed by existing adult NDIS participants and aims to support lifelong independence.

  • When planning for SIL, how is this information documented or reported? 

    Planning meetings will be held in order to make decisions about whether the SIL requests are reasonable and necessary. This transition phase could take anywhere from one week to one year. (Special provisions are in place to manage emergency situations when accommodation is required immediately).

    The details of the SIL arrangements won’t be outlined directly in the NDIS plan; they will be a requirement of the plan and as such will be overseen by the support coordinator or case manager.

  • Once someone is in a SIL home, is AAYS still representing them in any way?

    Technically, we no longer represent them for the SIL component of their plan, which is managed by an agency who will look after their SIL component.

    However, clients can still request All About You Supports to be their ongoing support coordinator or case manager for other components of their NDIS plan, which is often the case.