Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a type of support provided under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) that helps people with more significant needs to live independently at home. The inclusions and exclusions have been clearly laid out by NDIS guidelines. Providers must be aware of all the details and keep their respective participants updated on what type of support is available. Here’s more on Supported Independent Living NDIS!
What is Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) is an NDIS support that offers assistance or supervision with daily living tasks to individuals with substantial and ongoing support requirements. The aim is to support individuals to live independently to the maximum extent possible, while learning valuable life skills. This support is individualised and can be provided in a shared house with other NDIS participants, or in some instances, in a private living situation.
Supported Living NDIS covers support with establishing routines, self-care, cooking meals, cleaning, going to the doctor, and social skills development. SIL is especially appropriate for participants who need support 24/7, including overnight services. SIL can also lead to enhanced physical and mental well-being and greater community involvement.
If one resides with other persons who are not NDIS participants, SIL would not be the most suitable option. In these instances, other types of support, such as personal care or Individualised Living Options (ILO), would be more suitable.
In order to decide upon the appropriate level of SIL funding, the NDIS looks at information collected from interviews with participants, carers, and health professionals, or care records and completed assessments. This ensures that participants are given an appropriate level of support in terms of intensity and timing.
Advantages of Supported Independent Living NDIS
There are a number of significant advantages of SIL for individuals with high support needs:
- Promotes independence by helping you develop and practise everyday life skills like cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
- Develops confidence by routine-based learning and self-management of activities.
- Fosters social involvement and interaction with the community, which aids in emotional and mental health.
- Adjusts to evolving needs, providing adaptable support that changes as the situation does.
- Ensures safety and stability with stable, round-the-clock support, including overnight coverage.
- Assists families and carers by relieving them of the strain of giving around-the-clock personal care, promoting peace of mind and cooperation.
What’s Covered in SIL
Supported Independent Living NDIS is intended to be flexible, responding as needs change over time and providing consistent, meaningful support for daily living. It covers most things, as long as they qualify under NDIS funding. These include:
- Personal care support such as bathing, dressing, and toileting.
- Building skills in activities like cooking, preparing a meal, cleaning, and coordinating routines.
- Enactment of behaviour support plans where they apply.
- Enabling social and communication skills to support community integration.
- Overnight personal safety and security supervision
- Medication management and visits to doctors’ appointments.
- Support for community access to non-routine activities such as hydrotherapy sessions or visiting family.
- Transportation to and from the community access activity, if preferred by the participant.
What is Not Included
As thorough as SIL is, there are some expenses and services outside of its scope. These exclusions assist in making sure that SIL funding continues to be concentrated on disability-related support needs and does not overlap with the offerings of other government services.
- General living expenses unrelated to disability, including:
- Rent or accommodation charges
- Food and groceries
- Utility bills, like electricity, gas, water, internet, or phone
- Car expenses
- Supports not related to disability, including:
- Bill-paying or budgeting services
- Holiday-related travel and expenses
- Supports funded by other systems, including:
- Hospital personnel support during hospital stays (funded by the health system)
- Support for custody or supervision orders (funded by the justice system)
- Medical, nursing, palliative care, or other health-related services.
Conclusion
Supported Independent Living NDIS is most appropriate for people with high support needs who need extensive, ongoing support, including overnight support, within their home. If a participants need extensive one-to-one assistance from a disability support worker, SIL could be the best choice. That said, if a participant doesn’t share supports with other NDIS participants, other home and living supports like assistive technology, individualised living choices, or personal care may be more suitable. The NDIS providers have to work alongside participants to decide on their goals, daily requirements, and preferences to ensure the right support option is funded.
