Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a crucial support option provided under the NDIS for participants who require assistance with daily living tasks while living in shared or individual housing. SIL funding is tailored to each participant's needs, ensuring they receive the necessary support to live as independently as possible.
The NDIS Commission has announced the mandatory registration for SIL Providers following the recommendations from the NDIS Provider and Workforce Registration Taskforce. The Taskforce identified key risk areas for those providers that are currently operating unregistered:
"The risk inherent in these types of services due to the isolation of people with disability is unacceptable."
"The opportunity for violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in Group Homes is significant."
The following is a concise guide on what is considered Best Practice in being a SIL provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):
Key Features of SIL Supports
- Daily Living Assistance: Help with personal care, medication support, cooking, cleaning, managing appointments and other household tasks.
- 24/7 Support: Depending on individual needs, participants may receive continuous or scheduled support throughout the day and night.
- Goal-Oriented: SIL supports are designed to build participants' skills and independence while achieving personal goals, to enable participants to live as independently as possible while ensuring their needs are met.
- Collaboration: Support workers coordinate with participants, families, and other providers to ensure holistic care.
- Inclusion: SIL fosters independence, enhances quality of life, and allows participants to engage with their community in a safe, supportive environment.
Eligibility Requirements of being a SIL Provider
To register as a SIL provider, you must:
- Have appropriate qualifications or experience in disability services.
- Meet the Suitability Criteria for all Key Personnel.
- Develop and implement policies, procedures and processes aligned with the NDIS Practice Standards.
- Comply with relevant state and local regulations for housing and disability support services.
- Have qualified support staff to work with each participant.
Best Practice in SIL
Policies and Procedures
Comprehensive policies, procedures and processes that meet the NDIS Practice Standards in addressing participant rights, risk management, incident management, complaints handling, support planning and workplace health and safety, that is unique to the SIL operations.
Forms and Registers
e.g. Risk registers, feedback, complaints and incident registers, support plans and associated care plans to support each individual need, consents, transition plans etc.
Key Business & Governance Documentation
e.g. Insurances, Key Personnel information, Business Plan, Risk Register, Meeting Minutes, Organisation Chart, Position Descriptions, Delegations, Emergency and Disaster Plan, Business Continuity Plan, Risk Management Framework, Conflict of Interest etc, Consideration to the structure of your team in being a SIL provider to address operational requirements and risk.
Participant Documents:
e.g. Service Agreement, SIL Service Agreement, Consent Form, Participant Risk Assessment, Support Plan, High Intensity Support Plan (for module 1 supports), Behaviour Support Plan, Restrictive Practices Authorisation, Mealtime Management Plan, Medication Plan, Easy Read documents, Participant Intake documents.
Participant-Centred Care:
A successful SIL provider will prioritise the needs and preferences of participants. It’s crucial to develop personalised support plans and other carer plans specific to the needs of each participant that will support participants in achieving their goals. By involving participants and their families in decision-making processes, you foster a collaborative and transparent environment that empowers those you support.
Building a Skilled and Compassionate Workforce:
To be a top-tier SIL provider, your workers need to be highly skilled, trained, and passionate about working with people with disabilities. All workers will have completed mandatory checks and mandatory training and should have experience in working within a SIL environment. Workers will be trained specific to a participants unique needs. As a provider you should be providing ongoing training and development opportunities to improve service delivery but also to ensure that your team is capable of handling a range of situations with professionalism and care.
Flexibility and Adaptability:
SIL services are not one-size-fits-all. The needs of participants can vary greatly, so flexibility is essential in tailoring services. Being responsive to the changing needs of participants and adapting support plans when necessary, will help maintain positive outcomes and satisfaction.
Collaboration with Other Providers:
In many cases, participants will require services from other providers in addition to SIL. Effective collaboration with allied health providers, support coordinators, general practitioners, behaviour support practitioners and other specialists will ensure that the holistic needs of the participant are met. A strong network of service providers will enhance the overall quality of care and improve participants' experiences.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement:
Staying at the forefront of SIL service delivery involves a commitment to continuous improvement. Regularly evaluate your services, seek feedback from participants and their families, and stay updated on best practices in the industry. This approach will ensure your services are always evolving to meet the highest standards of care.
Best practice for implementing restrictive practices within the SIL home
Key things to remember to be compliant with the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 when supporting participants in SIL homes who currently have or may have in the future restrictive practices.
Restrictive practices:
- Need to be use only when necessary to prevent risk, harm to self and others and to gain control over situations.
- Should only be used when a Specialist Behaviour Practitioner has recommended the use of a restrictive practice.
- Be a part of an interim or comprehensive behaviour support plan.
- Is authorised by the respective state.
- Have consent in place.
- Training of support staff completed on the correct way to use the restrictive practice by the Specialist Behaviour Practitioner.
- Have proactive strategies in place for staff to implement.
If a restrictive practice has been used and there are no approvals in place. This then becomes a reportable incident and must be reported to the NDIS Commission within 5 days. As a registered provider you must report each occasion of use until either authorised or no longer in use. A Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner must be engaged to work with the participant and has 1 month to complete an interim behaviour support plan if the ongoing use has been recommended.
Note - a provider needs to be registered to implement restrictive practices and be audited against module 2a by an Approved Quality Auditor (AQA).
Suitable Accommodation
As a Supported Independent Living (SIL) provider, offering suitable accommodation is key to ensuring participants feel safe, supported, and empowered in their daily lives. Suitable housing must meet the unique needs of each participant, considering accessibility, safety, and comfort. By creating a home-like environment tailored to individual preferences and support requirements, SIL providers can foster independence, enhance quality of life, and promote a sense of community for NDIS participants.
To find properties you can reach out to Real Estate Agents and advise of the property you are looking for. When choosing a property things to consider are:
- Accessibility: Even if you are not also registering for Specialist Disability Accommodation you want to find a home that has suitable bathrooms, no stairs or obvious hazards.
- Location: Choose a location close to public transport, healthcare services, and community facilities.
- Compliance: Meet local council and state regulations for shared housing and disability accommodations, for example fire safety regulations around fire extinguishers, evacuation plans etc.
- Comfort: Create a homely, welcoming environment with private bedrooms and shared spaces for participants. Usually, a SIL home includes all furniture and appliances, and the participant provides their own bedroom furniture.
Market Your SIL Home
To find participants for your SIL home, it’s crucial to build awareness and establish trust. Strategies include:
- Engage with NDIS Support Coordinators: Build relationships with local support coordinators who can assist in connecting you with potential participants.
- Network within the Community: Partner with disability organisations, advocacy groups, and local community services to reach potential clients.
- Online Presence: Create a professional website and advertise any vacancies that you may have. Profile the vacancy on the website. Maintain an active presence on social media to showcase your organisation, facilities, and success stories.
- Host Open Days: Invite participants and their families to tour the SIL home and learn about your services in person.
- Participant involvement: Involve current participants in the SIL home with profiling the SIL home, have the participant involved in meeting the potential participants and ensure that there is compatibility.
Build Strong Relationships with Participants and Families
Building strong relationships with participants and their families is crucial for providing effective Supported Independent Living (SIL) services. Trust and open communication form the foundation of these relationships, enabling collaborative care and meaningful support. Here's how you can strengthen these connections:
- Providing clear information about your services, costs, and policies.
- Maintaining open communication with participants and their families.
- Include person-centred planning to ensure services meet each participant’s unique needs and preferences.
- Collaboration with participants, families and other support providers.
- Seeking regular feedback and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.
Ensure Ongoing Compliance and Quality
To maintain compliance:
- Inspect the home monthly to ensure the home is free from hazards and maintained appropriately.
- Test evacuation and emergency procedures regularly so workers and participants know what to do in case of an emergency.
- Conduct regular internal audits and update policies, procedures and processes as required.
- Ensure continuous training for staff.
- Keep up to date industry standards.
- Actively seek feedback from workers and participants and address any issues promptly.
- Refer to the below links for Supported Independent Living Provider Guidance:
Conclusion
Setting up a Supported Independent Living home is a rewarding endeavour that requires thorough planning, dedication to quality care, and effective participant outreach.
The pathway to excellence as a registered SIL provider is built on a foundation of trust, integrity, and dedication to supporting people with disabilities. By following the principles of best practice you can create a safe, supportive environment that empowers individuals with disabilities to live independently and achieve their lifelong goals.
For more information on becoming a Registered Provider, refer to our Article: Becoming an NDIS Provider: NDIS Registration Process Essentials.
References
https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/media-centre/important-information-platform-providers-support-coordinators-and-supported
