This is part of our ‘New to the NDIS’ series. A series of blog articles and infographics designed to assist and build an understanding for nominees and participants who are new to the NDIS and are looking to get up to speed.  

In this article we take a closer look at Supported Independent Living (SIL), what criteria you need to meet in order to access SIL and much more.  

So, let’s get started!

Oh, just in case: If you’re unsure of anything and need more clarification, please feel free to reach out to us via the details on our contact page below.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a crucial NDIS support designed to help individuals with disability live as independently as possible in their own homes. It provides personalised, ongoing assistance tailored to meet specific needs, enabling you to achieve your goals and engage in community life.

SIL homes are typically shared living arrangements where multiple tenants share a common living space and support services. This shared living model can help optimise support ratios allowing for more comprehensive care.

At CSBS, our approach to Supported Independent Living is person-led. This means you have the freedom to choose your supports, how you want to be supported, and how everything is organised.

We work with you and within your funded supports to ensure you are best positioned to live the life you choose.

If your NDIS plan includes SIL, you’ll get special funding under Assistance in Daily Life in your core budget.

The amount of SIL funding depends on how much support you need. The NDIS decides this based on reports and documents from Allied Health professionals with the help of a SIL provider – like an Occupational Therapist’s (OT) report.

• Have a disability that significantly impacts your daily life and your ability to participate in the community.
• Require ongoing support to live independently.
• Have a support plan that includes SIL as an appropriate and necessary support.
• Functional Assessment, an assessment by a health professional (e.g., occupational therapist) to determine your support needs and eligibility for SIL.

PLEASE NOTE: Each step may vary depending on your individual circumstances. We recommend that you consult with your NDIS planner or a disability support organisation for personalised guidance. The below steps may only apply if you are self-managed but can often be handled by your Support Coordinator.

Assess Your Needs and Goals with your planner:

• Understand your specific support needs and discuss them with your NDIS planner. Identify SIL as a potential support option.

Complete the Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form:

• If you have a new goal or a change in circumstances, complete the form below (Requesting home and living supports) and submit it to the NDIS. You can fill out a Home and living supporting evidence form within 100 days of your plan review, if a change of situation has occurred or with a request for review of a decision.
  You can find the form HERE.

Seek Professional Assessment:

• An occupational therapist or other relevant professional can assess your functional capacity and determine the level of support needed.

Find a SIL Provider:

• Research and select a registered SIL provider that aligns with your needs and preferences.

Develop a Support Plan:

• Work with your NDIS planner and the SIL provider to develop a comprehensive support plan, outlining the specific supports and funding allocated for SIL.

Submit NDIS Form:

• Complete the necessary NDIS form to express your intention to move into SIL accommodation. If you have one your Support Coordinator can assist with this process.
  You can find the form – HERE.

NDIS Funding Approval:

• The NDIS will review your support plan and approve the funding for SIL services if they deem the request ‘reasonable and necessary’.

Move into SIL Accommodation:

• Once funding is approved, you can move into your chosen SIL accommodation and receive the necessary supports.

Once you have your funding approval, you’ve found the right home and are working with the people you choose to support you, it’s time to start living in your new home. YAY!

Depending on your needs you can expect to be supported with;

• Daily living activities: Assistance with things like personal care, meal preparation, medication management, and household tasks.
• Life skills development: Training and support to develop independent living skills, such as budgeting, transportation, and communication.
• Health and medical care: Assistance with accessing and managing health and medical services.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) offers different levels of support, tailored to individual needs. These levels are categorised as standard and high intensity needs:

• Standard Needs: These might include the need for 24/7 support, including active assistance or supervision for most daily tasks. Sleepover support but not ‘active’ overnights. Standard needs incorporate the ability to spend time with family without paid support and sometimes a Positive Behavior Support plan for occasional challenging behaviors.
• High Intensity Needs: These typically include; 24/7 active and continuous assistance with all daily tasks, active overnight support, frequent assistance with managing complex behaviors and active management of complex medical needs (e.g., ventilation, seizure activity).

The level of support required will determine the cost of SIL and the amount of NDIS funding allocated to you.

• 1:1 Support: One support worker for one participant. This is for individuals who require constant attention.
• 1:2 Support: One worker for two participants. Suitable for those who can share support with moderate needs.
• 1:3 Support: One worker for three participants. Often used in shared living arrangements where residents can assist each other.
• 2:1 Support: Two workers for one participant, where two support workers are required to assist with one participant.

SIL is a valuable support for individuals with disabilities who want to live independently. But understanding the different types of SIL, eligibility requirements, and funding options can be a maze. Often the information overload is a lot and what should empower you to make decisions about the SIL support you want and to finding a provider can be confusing. 

We hope this article has helped bring some clarity but… if you’re wanting some extra information we are more than happy to have a chat and discuss how we can be a part of your story.  

We’re here to help you so if you have questions, please be sure to reach out. 

• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): https://www.ndis.gov.au/
• Disability Services Australia (DSA): https://dsa.org.au/our-brand/
• National Disability Services (NDS): https://nds.org.au/
• Specialised Disability Accommodation Consulting: https://sdaconsulting.com.au/design-categories/
• NDIS SIL planning: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/housing-and-living-supports-and-services/supported-independent-living-provider-guidance