For many NDIS participants, moving towards independence means having the right help at home. Supported Independent Living (SIL) is one way to get that help, and understanding how it works makes it easier to decide if it is right for you or your family member.
What is Supported Independent Living?
SIL is help with day-to-day tasks in a shared living arrangement, so participants can live as independently as possible. It covers support with things like personal care, cooking, household tasks and building daily living skills. SIL pays for the support, not the accommodation itself, so rent, food and other living costs are separate.
Who is SIL for?
SIL is for participants who need a higher level of support to live at home, and it must be included in the participant's NDIS plan. Your support coordinator or provider can talk with you about whether it suits your goals and needs.
What a good SIL provider does
- Listens to what the participant wants and builds supports around their goals
- Matches support workers to housemates and their personalities, routines and preferences
- Provides consistent staff so participants feel comfortable and safe at home
- Encourages independence, so participants build skills rather than simply being helped
- Communicates clearly with participants, families and support coordinators
Questions to ask before choosing a provider
- How do you match participants and housemates?
- Who will my support workers be, and can I see their profiles?
- How do you support people to build independence?
- How will you keep me and my family informed?
- How do you handle changes or concerns?
How Intense Support Care can help
At Intense Support Care, we deliver person-centred supports, including Supported Independent Living, with teams across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Melton and surrounding suburbs. We work closely with participants, families and support coordinators to make sure supports match individual goals, preferences and needs.
If you would like to talk about SIL, visit intensesupportcare.com.au or contact our team today.
