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SIL Melbourne

Supported Independent Living Melbourne

Part of living a happy, healthy life is being independent and being able to do the things that bring you joy. But sometimes, we need a little support to make that happen.

Home Caring provides people living with disability all the support they need to live in their own home. Funded by the NDIS, this is called Supported Independent Living (SIL). It ensures your daily support needs are taken care of, while teaching you valuable skills that help you be as independent as possible.

Our local teams of disability professionals provide individualised support that is tailored to your goals. Whether you need help getting out of bed in the morning, supervision throughout the day, assistance with household budgeting or want to learn how to do your own laundry, we’re here for you – every step of the way.

Our SIL NDIS Melbourne services include:

Personal care (e.g. toileting, showering, grooming, getting ready in the morning)
24-hour support for people with high care needs
Transfers in and out of bed
Assistance with medication management
Learning daily living skills
Help with tasks like laundry and grocery shopping
Developing social skills
Group activities with housemates
Preparing nutritious meals
Actioning behaviour support plans
Support for medical appointments
Support with supervision, personal safety and security
Help with catching public transport
Learning how to manage your household budget
Planning social activities you enjoy
Organising household rosters and activities

All of our support workers are rigorously screened, and offer best practice NDIS SIL in Melbourne. We love what we do, and are passionate about helping people in the community enjoy quality of life, with no barriers.

What is Supported Independent Living?

Supported Independent Living or SIL is a NDIS support that helps you live independently in your own home, whether you are living in group accommodation, a private rental, with your family, or in your own property. It provides funding for a support worker to come to your home and help you with things like doing the laundry, personal care tasks, cooking meals, learning skills, or catching public transport. It also helps you build the skills you need to do things for yourself, so you can be as independent as possible.

Supported Independent Living is designed for NDIS participants who have higher support needs because of their disability, and need a large amount of assistance throughout the week. It is funded under the Core Supports category of your NDIS plan. You can access SIL whether you live alone, or in group accommodation with housemates. It doesn’t include expenses such as rent, groceries, or supports that are covered by other categories in your NDIS plan. The amount of SIL funding you can access depends on the level of support you need to live independently, ranging from low needs to high needs.

Supported Independent Living NDIS in Melbourne

Home Caring provides NDIS Supported Independent Living in Melbourne, provided by qualified disability care experts who have years of experience supporting people in the community.

Our SIL disability group homes in Melbourne are located in thriving hubs, conveniently close to public transport, recreation spaces, natural features, entertainment, employment opportunities and medical centres. It’s a great opportunity to be part of an inclusive household, where you can make new friends, build your capacity, and find a place to belong.

We also provide SIL services in your own home, according to your needs. Our disability workers will support you with everyday tasks, so you can enjoy quality of life and reach your goals.

Home Caring’s Approach to SIL

We believe that the best support happens when everyone is on the same page. By working collaboratively, we can help you achieve your goals and make the most out of life.

Our service approach is:

Personal – we don’t just treat you like a task, but genuinely care for you, take an interest in your life, work on building trust, and match our services to your unique needs and goals.
Exceptional – we don’t settle for second best. We follow high standards of care, pay attention to the details, and strive to deliver quality support our clients can trust.
Tailored – each person is unique, and so is their support. We work to understand your needs, and tailor our support accordingly. We’ll help you achieve your personal goals.
Encouraging – We believe in you! We have a positive and creative approach to problem-solving, and work with you to achieve your goals or find solutions to everyday challenges.
Multidisciplinary – we’ll partner with other health care professionals and your support network to achieve the best outcomes for you and your family.
Empowering – we respect that you are in control of your plan. We help you make informed decisions, values your choices, and help you be an active agent in your support.
Culturally aware – our bilingual teams cater for a range of cultures and backgrounds. We provide culturally appropriate care that meets you where you’re at.

Home Caring provides Supported Independent Living NDIS in Melbourne, so people in the community can be independent and enjoy quality of life. We’ll support you with the big and little things, while giving you opportunities to learn new skills. To inquire about SIL services in your area or find out more about disability care with Home Caring, please get in touch with our friendly team.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is SIL different from SDA?
Where can I access SIL in Melbourne?
Is Supported Independent Living and a group home the same type of support?
How much does Supported Independent Living cost?
How can I access SIL funding from the NDIS?
How do I find SIL providers in Melbourne?
What does SIL include?
How do I get Supported Independent Living included in my NDIS plan?
Can I choose my SIL housemates?

How is SIL different from SDA?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) can be mistaken as the same type of support as Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), as both are NDIS supports related to housing for people with disability.

Where they differ is how they support NDIS participants. SIL refers to support services that help you live independently in your own home, such as personal care, support doing housework, transport, meal preparation support, or learning life skills. It is designed for NDIS participants who have higher support needs due to their disability, and require a significant amount of help throughout the week in order to live in their own home.

Specialist Disability Accommodation refers to the physical home that a person with support needs lives in. It is funding that provides specialist housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. This could be a group home, community residential units, or self-contained homes that are fitted with specialist housing solutions to help you live independently.

If you are eligible for both SDA and SIL, the NDIS will fund them separately in your plan. This is so you have more control and choice over your support. You can choose one provider for your SDA home and another for your SIL services, giving you flexibility to choose the supports that are right for you.

Home Caring has a wide range of Specialist Disability Accommodation and Supported Independent Living options NDIS in Melbourne. To find out more and speak to someone about your situation, please get in touch with our disability experts. We’re happy to help and offer guidance.

Where can I access SIL in Melbourne?

To provide someone with Supported Independent Living services, an organisation must be officially registered with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). This means you can be sure that the provider meets the NDIS Practice Standards, and is fully recognised by the NDIA as delivering services to a certain quality standard.

As a NDIS registered provider of SIL in Melbourne, Home Caring provides high quality SIL supports, ranging from help with personal care tasks to transport assistance, learning new skills, nursing care, 24/7 supervision and help with cooking meals. Our locally based teams of health professionals and support workers serve a wide range of suburbs in Melbourne, delivering exceptional support that empowers you to reach your goals and enjoy a happy, healthy life.

Want to find out more? Please get in touch with our team. We’d love to chat to you about your needs and see if we can assist.

Is Supported Independent Living and a group home the same type of support?

If you are eligible, you can access Supported Independent Living in your NDIS plan while living in shared accommodation, otherwise known as a group home. There are lots of advantages to living with others, such as being part of a warm community, getting to know people and building friendships, joining in group activities, being part of a household, and learning how to take on responsibilities.

You can also access SIL if you are living alone in your own home or in a private rental. To qualify for support, you must be able to demonstrate to the NDIA that you have significant support needs, and SIL is a ‘reasonable and necessary’ support in order for you to live an independent life in the community.

If you would like to experience shared living with other people in your local area, Home Caring can help. We can help you move into a group home in Melbourne that’s perfect for your needs. We’ll take the time to get to know you, and carefully match you with housemates who you can get along with. You’ll also have an opportunity to get to know the people you’ll be living with before moving in, to see if you’re a good fit.

We’ll also match you with a support worker who can assist you with everyday tasks and help you build skills for life. You’ll receive individualised support that helps you build confidence as you work towards your NDIS goals.

Along with group homes in Melbourne, Home Caring offers group homes in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, Canberra and South Australia. All of our disability homes are well located in thriving suburbs, close to all amenities for your convenience and enjoyment. To find out more about SIL in your area, please get in touch with our disability care experts for a free consultation.

How much does Supported Independent Living cost?

In Australia, Supported Independent Living is subsidised by the government through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). If you are eligible, the amount of funding you receive depends on how much care you require, from a basic level to more complex. Funding goes to a provider who then providers you with SIL services, such as personal care, help preparing meals, medication management, bed transfers, skills training or 24-hour supervision.

SIL doesn’t cover costs such as your rent, utilities, everyday living expenses such as food or recreation, car costs, holidays, discretionary spend, or items that are already covered by other NDIS supports, such as mobility equipment and independent living aids. To chat to someone about how much Supported Independent Living NDIS in Melbourne costs with Home Caring, please get in touch for a chat with our friendly team.

How can I access SIL funding from the NDIS?

If you are eligible, you can access Supported Independent Living under the Core Supports category of your NDIS plan. To apply, you will need to get a functional assessment completed from a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, to show how your disability impacts everyday life, why you can’t access other types of housing, and what supports are required to help you achieve your housing goals. You also need to have a goal in your NDIS plan that relates to housing, to show that SIL is ‘reasonable and necessary’ to help you achieve your goal.

Some people find it challenging and overwhelming to go through the process of applying for SIL alone, so it’s a good idea to chat to your support coordinator for support (or speak to your Local Area Coordinator to see if you can get a support coordinator included in your plan) A support coordinator can help you get your reports ready, and make sure you give the right evidence to apply for SIL funding.

How do I find SIL providers in Melbourne?

Looking for Supported Independent Living providers in Melbourne? If you’re new to the NDIS, it can be hard to know where to start your research. A good place to search is the NDIS portal, using the ‘Provider Finder’ tool. This search tool helps you find NDIS registered providers in your local area by performing searches based on your suburb or postcode. You can also search for providers based on other parameters, such as supports offered and cultural or religious specifications.

You can also find good SIL providers in your area by asking other NDIS participants about their experiences, looking at a provider’s reviews online, or chatting to your support coordinator about SIL providers in your area.

Finding a SIL provider who you’re truly happy with can take time, as you want to do research and ensure you’re happy with your choice. If you are planning to move into a group home, you’ll also need to check things like the ratio of housemate to support workers, whether the home meets the requirements in your assessment, and whether you like the area the home is located in. Your support coordinator will work with you to help you find the right SIL provider for your needs.

Home Caring provides high quality SIL Supported Independent Living in Melbourne. Our individualised approach to SIL means you’ll have exactly what you need to live independently, while learning the skills you need for daily tasks. We offer a range of SIL options across Melbourne and other areas in Australia, with lots of choice to suit everyone. To find out more, please get in touch for a chat with our team of disability care experts.

What does SIL include?

If you have Supported Independent Living included in your NDIS plan, you will be able to access personal care, support for tasks like laundry and grocery shopping, meal preparation and skills training. You might be eligible to get funding to support lower needs (e.g. regular supervision), standard needs (e.g. active assistance for daily tasks 24 hours a day) or higher needs (e.g. continual and complex assistance).

SIL funding doesn’t cover expenses such as the rent on your home or mortgage repayments, holidays, electricity, internet or phone bills, gas, food and necessities, home repairs, day to day living expenses, vehicle expenses, or items covered under other NDIS supports.

How do I get Supported Independent Living included in my NDIS plan?

Applying for SIL can be a complex task that takes a lot of time, so ask your support coordinator to help you with the process (if you don’t have one, you can ask your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) about getting funding so you can engage one to assist you with finding the right housing solution for your needs). Your support coordinator can help you apply for housing funding that best meets your needs, and gather all the evidence and reports you need to apply for SIL funding.

If you are eligible for SIL, you can access Home Caring’s Supported Independent Living programs in Melbourne. To talk to someone about your specific circumstances, please get in touch. We’re happy to help with a free consultation.

Can you choose your SIL housemates?

At Home Caring, we know how important it is to get along with the people you are living with. That’s why we have a very careful process to match people in our SIL homes, so that everyone has a positive experience while living there.

If you move into one of our SIL homes in Melbourne, you’ll be living with people who are a suitable match in terms of needs and personality, and you’ll also have opportunities to get to know your housemates before moving in. We also match you with a support worker you can get along with, and who is best suited to your needs. All of our clients have control over their living situation. If things don’t work out, we work with you to address any problems or find an option that you prefer. To chat to someone about your SIL needs, please get in touch for a chat with our friendly team.