Finding a Supported Independent Living (SIL) Vacancy

What Do Providers Need to Know?

Enough to tell whether the home, the support and the housemates could suit.

• Whether SIL is in the plan already, or a home and living request is in progress
• Whether you'd like to share or live on your own
• The kind of support needed during the day and overnight
• Where you'd like to live
• When you'd like to move
• Whether you also need a home designed for disability, such as SDA

You don't need to share everything up front. Detailed reports can come later, once a provider thinks a home could work.

Where Are SIL Vacancies Listed?

Mostly with providers themselves, and through support coordinators. The NDIA doesn't run a SIL vacancy list.

Your support coordinator's role includes finding a suitable SIL provider and talking with providers about what they can deliver within your funding. The NDIA's provider finder lists registered providers by area. If you'll also need an SDA home, the NDIA's SDA Finder lists some SDA vacancies.

You can also tell us what's needed once. We pass it to a registered SIL provider who may have a vacancy that suits, one provider at a time.

Do the Current Residents Get a Say?

Yes. Providers must consult the residents affected before a new person moves in.

The SIL Practice Standards say residents should be matched with housemates they feel safe living with, and the service agreement should explain how vacancies are filled, taking each resident's needs and preferences into account. Expect a visit, a chat with the household and possibly a few trial visits before anyone commits.

What Should You Check Before Saying Yes?

The people, the support and the paperwork.

• Visit, more than once if you can, and meet the housemates and the regular workers
• Ask how support is rostered, including overnight, and how it matches your funding
• Check the provider is registered with the NDIS Commission
• Read the service agreement and tenancy agreement, and get the rent in writing
• Ask what happens if the arrangement doesn't work out

What If There's Nothing Suitable Yet?

Keep your current supports going, talk to your support coordinator, and look at other home and living options.

Individualised living options (ILO) can be a good starting point if you aren't sure what home and living support suits you. Medium term accommodation may help in some situations, such as when a long-term home isn't ready yet. If a hospital discharge is involved, tell the hospital team and your support coordinator early.