Supported Independent Living: your questions, answered plainly

When families and support coordinators first ring us about Supported Independent Living, the same questions come up again and again. Most of them are really one question underneath: will you be honest with us about what you can and cannot do? So here are the ones we hear most, answered the way we would answer them across a kitchen table.

Who we can support

Can you take someone with a restrictive practice in place?

Yes. We will want the current behaviour support plan, the authorisation, and an honest conversation about the plan to reduce it.

Can you do two or three workers to one person?

Yes, including active overnight. Those ratios are determined through the person's NDIS plan rather than by us, and they can vary by time of day. What we bring is the team to deliver them and the systems to keep them running safely.

Do you support people in the Inner West only?

We are based at Rozelle in Sydney's Inner West and we support people across Sydney. Tell us where you are and we will let you know honestly whether we can staff it well.

Funding and housing

What if the NDIA has not funded enough hours?

We will help build the evidence for a home and living request, and we will be honest with you about what we can safely deliver in the meantime. We will not agree to a roster we cannot staff safely.

Do we have to use your housing?

No. SIL is the support, not the house. If you have Specialist Disability Accommodation or your own tenancy, we can provide support there. For what SIL does and does not pay for, see What SIL funds, and what it does not.

Moving in, and what happens next

How quickly can someone move in?

It depends on the person, the house and the staffing. A safe transition usually takes weeks, not days, though we have moved more quickly where a situation was urgent. Ask us about the particular circumstances.

What happens as someone gets older, or their needs change?

The plan changes with them. That is what the regular reviews are for. Nobody should have to move house because their support needs shifted.

What if we ask something you cannot do?

We will tell you, and we will try to point you to someone who can. A no from us early is more useful than a yes we cannot keep.

If your question is not here, that is the best reason to ring. Call 02 9556 9500 or get in touch.