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The new(ish) SIL Guidelines - and what they mean for participants

7/2/2022

6 Comments

 
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SIL is about Supported Independent Living, it's the funding people who live in group homes  need to have in their NDIS Plan.

Not the best choice of names because, let’s just get really clear, meeting individual needs, exercising choice and control in a group home are at best limited and most likely to be completely wrapped up in the needs and choices of the other people in the home (and the needs of service who provides the support). 

Until recently the group home provider submitted a Roster of Care (RoC) and SIL funding documents to the NDIS and between themselves they worked out how much funding a person got. Although people with disability, their families and us as Coordinators of Support tried to insert ourselves into that conversation,  mostly it felt like a secret deal between the NDIS and the provider. We were lucky we got to see the RoC after it was signed off.

So, now things are changing, and they are changing fast. Now we have new guidelines, and it seems, under the guise of choice and control, the NDIA is giving ‘control’ to participants while exiting from the previous arrangements they had with the providers.

Going forward, with SIL funding, like funding for most other support services, the NDIA will determine what kind and levels of support and funding a person needs based on the evidence they have (might be a previous RoC or might be a new OT assessment, etc).  
To think about this in the context of a group home:
For example, if by the determination of the NDIA a person needs 1:4 supports (meaning the individual’s support needs can be met by the attention and support from one-quarter of a staff member (yes, we know how ridiculous that sounds) and there are only two other people living in a house who are also funded for 1:4 supports, then the house is one quarter of a staff member short ( yes we know- ridiculous).
What does that mean in the long term because the funding coming in will fall short of what is needed?
Will a person have to move? Will they have to convert the garage into a granny flat?  
What if the person’s need increase to 3:1?
Now we are short of support, will that mean a person needs to move out, or should we reconvert the granny flat back into a garage?
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Now the NDIA determines what is needed and then provides the funding to the participant, who in turn (and together with their Coordinator of Support) negotiates the agreements with the SIL provider … mmh??
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Unlike most negotiations, in most situations and locations, it seems to us that there really isn’t much to negotiate, as there isn’t much choice and control a person has who is dependent on the provider for accommodation and day to day support. 
And it also important l to remember, that the people who live together in the house rarely, if ever, get to choose a new housemate when there is a vacancy (and get to talk about  whether the potential new housemate’s funding is compatible with a
nd contributes positively to the funding) and there really isn't an open market of  vacancies in group homes.
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Looking at these changes, it’s hard to see how this is anything other than an exercise by the NDIA to withdraw from some of the mess they have left to fester since when the NDIS first started. To be fair, it’s not just a mess for participants. SIL providers are also struggling with those changes and must manage less funding coming in while keeping people and their staff safe.

​For now, we see some SIL funding become plan managed. We are a bit excited about this opportunity for a bit more transparency and accountability, but we are seriously thinking this might not make a difference in how people living in group homes have better lives. In fact, it might just make it even worse.
6 Comments
Iris Smith link
30/1/2023 02:43:07 pm

I appreciate your expressing that even though people with disabilities, their families, and we Coordinators of Support tried to enter that conversation, it primarily felt like a covert agreement between the NDIS and the provider. My daughter has a disabled daughter. I'll advise her to contact an NDIS provider.

Reply
Steve Smith link
13/2/2024 11:44:30 pm

I'm glad that you talked about a proper funding planning could help with a proper independent living approach. A friend of mine informed me yesterday that he was looking for a supported independent living to help his uncle with his medication and personal care needs. He wanted to know if I had any advice on the best plan he could take. I appreciate this instructive article. I'll tell him that it's much better if he visits a reputable supported independent living company as they can provide information about the process.

Reply
Barbel link
14/2/2024 09:44:57 am

HI Steve, thanks for your comment, glad this was useful.. and all the best to your friend.

Reply
improved daily living ndis link
17/7/2024 09:07:02 am

The goal of the new SIL (Supported Independent Living) Guidelines is to standardize the evaluation and provision of SIL services in order to increase clarity and improve participant outcomes. In order to guarantee that the needs and preferences of people with disabilities are given priority in their living arrangements, these guidelines place a strong emphasis on a person-centered approach. Participants should anticipate a more simplified application procedure for SIL services, along with more precise eligibility and financial requirements. Furthermore, the recommendations encourage increased uniformity and openness in the delivery of services, which aids in the better understanding of participants' rights and accessible supports by their families. In general, the revised SIL Guidelines aim to promote more tailored and efficient assistance, which will enhance participants' quality of life.

Reply
Emman
16/9/2024 12:12:18 am

It's clear that the current SIL in NDIS guidelines may not fully capture the nuances of individual choice within group homes. Ensuring that these guidelines better address personal preferences and needs could lead to a more supportive and empowering environment for everyone involved. If you're interested in SIL, check this out https://kirinari.com.au/service/supported-independent-living/

Reply
NDIS Participants Leads link
25/1/2025 04:06:36 pm

Thanks for sharing such information.

Reply



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