Intellectual/Developmental

Webinar Recording

You cannot miss this webinar if you find the NDIS confusing

Understanding your plan means you can spend confidently and avoid an NDIS debt.

We will cover these very important and often confusing topics which will enable you to spend safely and with confidence:

• What is the real difference between: Core, Capacity Building and Capital in your NDIS plan
• Social & Community Participation – explained clearly with practical examples
• Capacity Building – what therapies will the NDIS pay for?
• Paying for Supports – how much should you be paying for support workers and therapy
• What are “Stated Supports” in your plan – why you need to check if you have them
• Funding Periods – how they work in your plan and where to view them
• What to do if – you’re using funds too fast or not fast enough!
• Live Q and A

This webinar will also include:

[✔]  Live Plan Breakdown Examples (we’ll show a real plan with personal details removed)
[✔]  “Can I claim this?” live Q&A where attendees submit real items
[✔]  Template: “How to Email a Provider and Ask Their Rates”
[✔]  Checklist: How to know if a support is reasonable & necessary

Watch the Webinar

Watch the recorded webinar

Resources we talked about:

How to apply for the NDIS Funding

Funding Periods

NDIS Support Lists

What can you spend your NDIS funds on?

Latest NDIS Changes

NDIS Price list

What is NDIS Plan Management?

Find NDIS Supports and Therapies

Your Free Invitation

We’re excited to invite you to our special NDIS Information Session. 

Hear from Plan Hero Plan Managers and the MyCareSpace NDIS Navigators

This amazing team of NDIS experts is on the ground supporting NDIS Participants every day!

This means that they know exactly the type of NDIS struggles you have and how to help you solve them!

Online NDIS Info Session

The recent NDIS changes which include funding periods, the NDIS support lists and the latest NDIS price guide have left so many families feeling confused, anxious, and unsure of what they can and can't do. 

Many participants are changed to Agency managed without notice because they are spending incorrectly - don't let this be you! (it's not an urban myth!)

In this FREE webinar, we’ll help you learn how to:

• Understand your NDIS plan

• Find Supports and Therapy Appointments 

• Know what you can spend your funding on

• Make sense of NDIS Funding Periods – what are they and they work

• Understand the NDIS Supports List – what can you spend your funding on?

• Avoid an NDIS Debt – how to avoid doing the wrong thing!

• Avoid being changed to Agency managed without your consent. 

Watch the recorded webinar

Speakers

Find out more about Plan Hero Plan Management

Find out more about how Plan Hero Plan Management can support you.

Have a chat to a Plan Manager today.

Ask the MyCareSpace team to find supports or therapy for you today

Connect me today!

What are these NDIS Goals and how do I set them?

There are multiple times within the NDIS that you will be asked about your goals, or the goals of the person you are caring for.

When you first start your journey, an NDIS representative called a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can help connect you with supports in the community or help you apply for the NDIS.

When you make an Access Request, you will be asked abour your goals. You will again be asked about these goals in your Plan Meeting.

Your goals might include:

• building your skills and doing more things yourself
• working or studying now or in the future
• doing social and recreation activities now or in the future
• building friendships or connecting with your family. 

Why are goals important?

Your goals are an important part of developing your plan. 

They help the NDIS to get to know you and the things that are important in your life.

Goals can also:

• help you think about what your strengths are and how you can use them 
• give you motivation to try different things and build your independence
• be something to work towards where you can measure your progress.

You can get help from others to identify and prepare your goals.  But when we record your goals in your plan they will be written in your own words.

We can help you to choose the right words for your goals if you ask us.  For example, if your disability means you have difficulty describing your goals. 

What are your goals?

Goals are things you want to pursue. You might need support from the NDIS and other supports and services to help you pursue them. 

Examples may include: becoming more independent, getting a job, learning new skills, making friends etc. 

Goals should focus on an outcome, rather than about the services needed to achieve the outcome. For example, if an NDIS participant attends a day program, the goal might be “To spend more time in my local community and develop skills so that I can be more independent”, not “To attend my day program.” 

The easiest way for you to think about goals is to think about what’s important to you or your child.

How many goals do I need?

The primary aim of your plan meeting is to understand what goals you would like to achieve and any disability-specific barriers that prevent you from pursuing these goals. The NDIA then looks at how the funds can be used towards supports that will address your disability support needs.

You can have as many goals as you like and they can be as broad or specific as you like.

There are some things to remember when setting goals:

• Setting more and bigger goals doesn’t mean the NDIS will provide more funding.
• Setting a goal doesn’t mean the NDIS will have an obligation to fund supports that help you pursue that goal.
• Setting a goal about an explicit type or amount of support you might want doesn’t mean the NDIS will have an obligation to fund that support or in that amount.

How do I set goals that will get me the NDIS funding I need?

Often choosing a goal is the hardest part, when you just don’t know what you should be asking for or how to write it down. 

Think about what's most important to you or your child and shape your goals around this.

Use this list to think about all the aspects of your life and what is really important to you. It may be:

• finding and keeping a job
• improving relationships
• independence in daily living
• confidence in money management
• doing more social and recreational activities
• improved health and wellbeing
• building confidence around public transport or learning to drive
• learning something new
• where you want to live, or
• improving communication and managing behaviours

Our top tips for setting goals:

1. Focus on age-appropriate life skills - Think about the things children their age usually do. Does your child have any unmet needs compared to other typical children their age? For example, at 6 years of age this may be to go to the toilet or getting ready for school, at 18 years of age this could be to cook food for themselves or getting a job (building independence)
    
2. Use NDIS buzz words - social participation, community integration, building independence, choice & control, reasonable & necessary, capacity building core/primary supports
    
3. Keep them broad - it's less about choosing the supports/services, but about choosing a goal that will remove the obstacles you have because of your disability.
    
4. Discuss supports for parents/carers - keep this focused on your child i.e. ask for support that will help you support your child to develop skills and build age-appropriate skills such as parent and carer training/courses/therapies
    
5. Focus on key areas the NDIS funds - social participation, employment, communication, self-care, learning.
    
6. Ask others - ask your child's therapists, family members and parents with a child of similar age and disability if they are happy to share their goals. There are a number of great NDIS Facebook groups where parents are happy to share their goals.

How to write great goals

1. Think about what is important to you. For example:
   • Trying new things
   • Making friends
   • Managing meltdowns
   • Expressing/talking about feeling and emotions
   • Getting a job
   • Taking care of themselves (being independent)
      
2. Think about how you would achieve these things. For example:
   • Participating in community hubs/classes/courses
   • Integrating in social settings
   • Learning how to communicate and speak more clearly
   • Behaviour management
   • Gaining employment skills
   • Building strength and fine motor skills
3. Now you need to Link 1 and 2 
    

Let's see this in action

1. Think about what’s important to you

1. I like attending book group every week.
2. I like participating in activities at my local Community Hub (meeting place).
3. I want to improve how I communicate with other people
4. I want to be independent.
    

2. Then work out your goals

My goals:

1. To increase my ability to access the community for social activities.
2. To be involved in the community and engage with others.
3. To improve my ability to speak clearly.
4. To get and keep a job.
    

3. I need:

1. A Disability Support Worker to get me to the Community Hub (meeting place) and book group or 
2. Help from a Speech Pathologist to improve my communication
3. Help building my confidence, managing my anxiety or learning to travel on my own.
4. Help finding a job.
    

Examples of goals

• I want my child to engage in more social and community groups so they can try new things.

• Zoe wants to build her social & communication so she can build and maintain age-appropriate relationships

• I want to learn how to manage my behaviours and understand my emotions so I can express myself better.
   
• Jack wants to build his communication & employment skills so he can get a job
   
• I want my child to build their fine motor and communication skills so they can be more independent

Examples of the supports do these relate to?

• Improve Communication - Speech Pathologist, Animal/Art/Music therapist,
• Community Participation - Community Hub (meeting place), Skill groups/clubs/camps
• Social Integration - Social groups, Support Workers
• Manage behaviours and emotions - Psychologist, Counsellor, Animal Therapy, Occupational Therapist Music or art therapists
• Build fine motor skills - Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist
• Build independence - Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Support Worker, Community & Social Activities

What are Goals?

Goals are important because they are your personal desires about what you’d like to do.

Your goals are not directly linked to your NDIS funding. Your NDIS funding is aimed to provide you with the supports you need for your disability. These supports may assist you to increase your independence and pursue your goals.

You can also be supported through informal supports like family, friends, and by mainstream or other community services.

Setting a goal in your plan doesn’t mean the NDIA must give you funding to pursue it. Setting more and bigger goals doesn’t mean the NDIA will give you more and bigger funded supports.

You can get help from others to set your goals. This includes friends, family, service providers and LAC’s.

NDIS Goals Explained

NDIS Goals are the goals listed in your plan which relates to your personal aspirations and what you want to achieve with your NDIS funding.

If you would like to access a particular support or service, however do not have a goal in your NDIS plan that relates to this goal, you may not be able to use your funding for this service.

Unfortunately, the NDIS aren’t obligated to fund for services to pursue the goals you have chosen. NDIS goals alone cannot be used to justify the funding of NDIS supports. The NDIS must be satisfied that the services are considered reasonable and necessary.

Find out more about What is Reasonable and Necessary (under the NDIS)

NDIS Goals for Intellectual Disability

NDIS goals can vary based on what your needs are related to your intellectual disability. 

When setting goals, focus on what you want and need and relate this to the different areas of funding established by the NDIS.

How does your intellectual disability impact you in day to day life? What opportunities are there to build your capacity if linked in with the right therapist or provider? Is there support you need in day to day life to be funded by the NDIS?

These are all questions to consider when determining goals related to your intellectual disability.

Goals related to Building Independence and Capacity

Goals related to building independence and capacity are a great place to start if you wish to improve a certain skill or reduce your support needs on others.

Goals related to building independence and capacity usually relate to capacity building services, such as allied health therapists.

It is important to be specific about what particular skill or activity you wish to target to build your capacity. Do you want to build independence at home? In the community? At work?

Keep in mind it is not necessary to specify only one way as to how this must be achieved, as you don’t want to limit your options.

Examples of goals related to building independence and capacity includes:

• I would like to increase my independence in personal care routines
• I would like to learn how to access public transport to get to the places I want to go to, such as the movies
• I would like to build my capacity in maintaining my home and completing domestic tasks
• I would like to improve my health and well-being by engaging in regular exercise

Goals related to accessing Support

Goals related to accessing support can involve direct support to help you complete a specific task or activity or support to complete the task for you on your behalf.

If you require support across any aspect of your daily life, you can establish a goal surrounding your support needs and what you wish to achieve.

Example goals related to accessing support includes:

• I wish to maintain my home by accessing a regular cleaning service
• I would like to attend day program and other community-based activities
• I want help to attend medical appointments and complete grocery shopping

NDIS Goal Writing - Tips and Tricks

Below are some tips and tricks to consider when writing your NDIS Goals.

Specific or Broad Goal?

It's up to you! Your goals can be as broad or specific as you like.
 

Service or Outcome Focussed?

When a goal focuses on a specific service, such as “receiving Occupational Therapy to improve my ability to cook for myself”, this implies the only service you can access to achieve this goal is Occupational Therapy.

When a goal is outcome focussed, such as “I want to develop skills in meal preparation”, you may be able to access a wider range of services and supports, such as a support worker, SIL, ILO etc.

Goal Structure - think SMART

A SMART goal is a goal that is:

• Specific
• Measureable
• Achievable
• Realistic 
• Timely

By structuring your goal to address the features of SMART, you can be sure that your goal relates directly to what you want to achieve and outlines how it will be achieved.

What kind of language should I incorporate into my goals?

As all NDIS-funded services must relate to your goals, consider incorporating NDIS language and terminology into your goals.

NDIS buzz words include:

• social participation
• community integration
• building independence
• choice & control
• reasonable & necessary
• capacity building
• core/primary supports
• finding and keeping a job
• improving relationships

Write a goal that is meaningful and true to what you want to achieve. Think about what is important to you. This could relate to making new friends, trying new things, getting a job etc.

Then think about how you need to go about achieving what is important to you? This could involve attending a group program, learning how to prepare meals for yourself, travel training to access public transport to get to work, etc.

When writing your goal, see how you can link these two concepts together.

Resources for Goal Writing

MyCareSpace have a range of resources available for setting and writing goals:

Article: Help Writing Goals for an NDIS Plan

Article: Tips for NDIS Goal Setting

Article: Creating Goals the NDIS understands and funds: 'Social & Community Participation'

Article: Setting NDIS Housing Goals

Webinar: Using NDIS Therapy Funding to Reach your NDIS Goals

Webinar: NDIS Goal Setting and its Connection to your Plan

In need of services to help you achieve your NDIS goals?

The MyCareSpace Connections Team have you covered. Spend 5 minutes entering in your details about who you are the services you are after, and we will do the rest to connect you in with providers to help you achieve your goals.

Get Connected

Intellectual Disability and Supported Independent Living (SIL) 

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is the support or supervision of daily tasks by paid support workers to help you to live as independently as possible.

This support can be received individually in your own home, or to a group of people who live together.

SIL is typically funded if your diagnosis of intellectual disability has a moderate to severe impact on your functional capacity.

SIL may be suitable for you if you require both:

• active disability support for more than 8 hours per day to complete daily activities in the home
• some level of support for the other hours

SIL is typically funded for those who require support for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including overnight support.

Overnight support may be active, where more than two hours of direct assistance is provided. Inactive or sleepover support involves less than two hours of assistance provided to you.

Intellectual Disability and Functional Capacity

The term “functional capacity” is thrown around a lot in the NDIS space. What does it mean?

Functional capacity is a snapshot of how independent you are, or how much support you require, to complete a particular task or activity that is meaningful in your life. How much difficulty you may have to complete a task, and how much time and effort is required, is also taken into consideration.

Your functional capacity to perform certain tasks may vary across different aspects of your daily routine. 

Your functional capacity may also be impacted by access (or lack of access) to assistive technology, or whether you live in an accessible environment or not.

How can SIL help me?

The support you receive through SIL relates directly to your support needs in the home.

SIL support must cater to your individual needs for the various activities that make up your day at home. You may require a higher intensity of support in the morning compared to the afternoon and overnight, for example.

SIL may include the following supports for people with an intellectual disability:

• Assistance with personal care, like showering, dressing and toileting
• Assistance with household tasks such as cleaning, preparing meals, washing clothes and cleaning
• Active overnight and/or sleepover support
• Assistance with complex medical needs
• Positive behaviour support management
• Assisting with administering medication and management of health needs related to your disability, such as bowel care, catheter, epilepsy, asthma and tube feeding

Intellectual Disability and High Physical Support Needs in SIL

As intellectual disability can result in a significant functional impairment, high support needs may be present. This may be the case if your intellectual disability is classified as severe or profound.

This means that increased time and support is required to assist with performing activities of daily living.

High support needs usually means you require a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of support for personal care tasks and other activities.

Ratio of Support

A ratio of support describes how many disability support workers will provide your support, and how many participants you’ll share this support with.

1:1 support means that you are receiving direct support from one support worker to assist you to engage in an activity, i.e. grooming tasks.

2:1 support means that you are receiving direct support from two support workers to assist with an activity. The additional support worker is usually necessary to assist with operating assistive technology. This may be due to manual handling requirements to keep you and your staff safe.

Manual Handling

Manual handling is the term used to describe the physical assistance provided for transferring and repositioning. 

Every participant in SIL who receives manual handling assistance should have a Manual Handling Plan. This is to minimise the risk of injury involved when receiving care.

Safe manual handling may be necessary for someone with an intellectual disability who is unable to move independently to transfer between surfaces, i.e. bed to chair, or to reposition i.e. when laying in bed.

Intellectual Disability and Assistive Technology in SIL

High physical support needs typically involve the use of assistive technology (AT).

You may be able to operate some assistive technology devices yourself. 

Alternatively, you may require support from your SIL staff to operate assistive technology and assist with manual handling.

Examples of Assistive Technology for Intellectual Disability

Common assistive equipment used by people with an a severe or profound intellectual disability who have high support needs includes:

• Wheelchair
• Mobile Hoist or ceiling hoist
• Sling
• Mobile shower commode
• Hi-lo adjustable bed
• Alternating air mattress
• Recliner Chair (with customisable features and high-pressure relief)

How do I find an NDIS SIL Provider?

When SIL is approved in your NDIS Plan, you are not automatically allocated to a provider. You have choice and control over the provider you engage with for SIL.

Need help finding a SIL provider?

Get in touch with the MyCareSpace Connections Team for assistance to find a SIL services in your area and nagivate the NDIS.

Get Started

Are you ready for your NDIS Plan Meeting?

After you have completed your Access Meeting, you will need to have an NDIS Plan Meeting with an NDIS Planner who will be responsible for creating your new NDIS plan. 

Preparation is essential for a good outcome

It is absolutely vital that you go into this meeting well prepared so you can clearly communicate your needs, demonstrate your needs and receive a new NDIS plan that meets them.

In this webinar we tell you everything you need to know to prepare for your NDIS Plan Meeting.

What we will cover

• Overview of what happens
• How to prepare for your Planning Meeting
• What to bring to your Planning Meeting
• What supports you can ask for
• How to manage your NDIS plan – understanding the options
• Tips to get the best outcome from your meeting
• What happens next
• Q&A

Resources

These are important resources that we spoke about in the webinar

• How to apply for the NDIS

• How to prepare for your Plan Meeting

• Tips for a phone Plan Meeting

• How to set Goals

• Options to manage your NDIS Plan

• What is an Impairment Notice in the NDIS?

Plan Hero Plan Management

Find out more about how Plan Hero Plan Management can support you.

Have a chat to a Plan Manager today.

Speakers:

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

SIL is the support or supervision of daily tasks by paid support workers to help you to live as independently as possible.

This support can be received individually in your own home, or to a group of people who live together.

Support provided must relate directly to your intellectual disability and any other conditions recognised by the NDIS.

SIL may be suitable for you if you require both:

• active disability support for more than 8 hours per day to complete daily activities in the home
• some level of support for the other hours

SIL is typically funded for those who require support for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including overnight support.

Overnight support may be active, where more than two hours of direct assistance is provided. Inactive or sleepover support involves less than two hours of assistance provided to you.

If your support needs are less than this, you may not be considered eligible for SIL.

Does SIL include accommodation?

SIL involves the funding for support provided to you in the home environment. It does NOT include funding for the accommodation where you live.

This means, SIL does not cover the following costs:

• rent, board or lodging costs
• home modifications
• groceries and household supplies

If you require disability-specific accommodation to meet your needs related to your disability, you may be eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

See further details here: What is SDA and SIL?

Where is SIL funded in my NDIS Plan?

Home and Living (Category 16) is a new category which appears under the Core Supports budget in your NDIS plan.

This funding can ONLY be used flexibly WITHIN this category, not across the remaining CORE budgets.

Is SIL short term or long term?

If you need to move away from your home for a brief period of time, or your existing supports require respite, you can access short-term accommodation (STA).

STA is different from SIL, as SIL is not designed to be a short term solution.

SIL is considered a longer term option, with the primary purpose of supporting you in your home to live alone or with others.

Goals for SIL - What do I want to achieve?

Like all services with the NDIS, SIL must help you to work towards achieving a goal.

SIL should be considered as more than just daily living support. SIL is to provide you with support specific related to:

• maximising your independence
• Meeting your daily care needs to you get engage in activities that are meaningful to you
• increasing your opportunities for participation in activities and tasks
• ensuring you feel safe and secure

Support provided should be personalised to meet your unique needs related to your intellectual disability.

How can SIL help me?

SIL services must cater to your individual needs for the various activities that make up your day at home over a 24 hour period. You may require a higher intensity of support in the morning compared to the afternoon and overnight, for example. This needs to be reflected by the SIL provider and the allocation of support.

SIL may include the following supports for you:

• Assistance with personal care, like showering, dressing and toileting
• Assistance with household tasks such as cleaning, preparing meals, washing clothes and cleaning
• Active overnight and/or sleepover support
• Assistance with complex medical needs
• Positive behaviour support management
• Assisting with administering medication and management of health needs related to your disability

What do I need to consider when searching for the right SIL provider for me?

Current Support Needs

It is important you have a clear idea of what your current support needs are to ensure the SIL provider can meet your needs for now, and over the longer term. This makes sure there are no surprises down the track when you request a particular support or service from the SIL team.

It is helpful to have a recent Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) Report completed by an Occupational Therapist which provides a clear overview of your functional capacity across all activities of daily living. The report should detail your specific support needs, including:

• type of support
• intensity of support
• the ratio of support (how many support staff are needed)
• assistive technology requirements

Find an Occupational Therapist

You need to be clear on what your support needs are before engaging with a SIL provider to make sure they can meet your needs over the long term.

Future Goals

What do you want to achieve over the next 5 years…10 years? Does the SIL service available align with your goals and aspirations?

For example:

• if you want to increase participation in cooking, will the SIL provider be able to accommodate this goal and support you to cook? Alternatively, will they allow for an external support worker to assist you with this goal?
• If your goal is to increase social participation, are there opportunities for residents and staff to cook and dine together as a group? Is there any potential to go out together to a restaurant for a meal?

Consider what the SIL provider can offer you to flourish and live the life you want to live.

Staff Matching, Qualifications and Experience

Enquire about the staff matching process and how the SIL provider ensure that the skills and communication-style of the staff members providing your care align with you and your needs. 

Ask how is staff matching is addressed ongoing when new support workers are hired by the SIL provider.

To ensure the SIL provider employ suitably qualified and experienced staff who can meet your care needs, be clear on your what your specific support needs involve. 

If you have any disability-related health supports, consider whether these can these needs be met by the SIL provider staff?

Disability-related health supports include:

• Dysphagia supports
• Nutrition supports
• Diabetes management supports
• Continence supports
• Wound and pressure care supports
• Podiatry supports
• Epilepsy supports

Find out more about: NDIS Disability-related Health Supports

Staff should regularly engage in continued professional development (CPD) to ensure their skills are up to date. Ask your potential SIL provider about the training schedule for existing and new staff, and whether training is provided in house or externally.

Transparency and Clear Communication

It is important to find a SIL provider who is transparent about their services and can communicate clearly about what they both can and can’t offer.

If you meet with a SIL provider who promises you the world, the chances are that they might not have a clear understanding of your needs and whether it is realistic for them to be met.

SIL providers are required to prepare a Roster of Care for each participant. To ensure you are choosing a provider that has a well established service, ask for samples or copies of the following documents:

• Roster of Care - this is an NDIS spreadsheet which the SIL provider should have completed for all NDIS participants in their care
• Service Agreement - this outlines all of the terms and conditions you agree to when engaging with their service
• Schedule of Support - this clarifies their rates and fees related to the services provided.

If a SIL provider cannot be transparent and upfront about their service, this may be a red flag that they are not as established as you need them to be to trust them with your care.

Provider Compliance

Providers who deliver supports and services under the NDIS must operate and comply with relevant Australian laws, rules and regulations.

Does the SIL provider meet the necessary compliance requirements?

SIL providers are required to undergo certification audits. The Core Module of the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 requires demonstration of compliance with Practice Standards providing strong oversight measures for NDIS participants in receipt of NDIS support and services, including SIL.

Details about provider's compliance obligations and the NDIA's compliance monitoring, including what actions may be taken, can be found on NDIS Provider Legal Requirements.

Accommodation Setting

Some SIL providers have a lease agreement with the property where they provide a service. Other SIL providers might own the accommodation setting. 

Perhaps the home is also registered as SDA. Consider if you are eligible for SDA and if you require to have this funding in your plan to live in this setting and receive support from this SIL provider.

It’s best to visit prospective facilities and settings to help you make your decision whether this is somewhere you would like to live.

Consider the following factors:

• Property accessibility - does the environment align with your needs?
• Location - how close is the setting to your doctor, usual pharmacy, work, day program etc?
• Transport - if you use public transport, are there easy transport options available near the home?
• Home maintenance - is the property maintained well and does it meet your standards?
• Surroundings - do you like living in a busy environment with nearby shops and cafes? Do you prefer a quieter suburban setting?

It is just as important to consider WHERE you will be living alongside WHO will be providing your support. In some cases, SIL can be provided in your own home and you will not have to move.

Resident Dynamic

A lot of SIL settings are shared between residents. If you are entering an existing home where a SIL service is established, you will want to make sure you connect well with the other residents.

Gathering information from the SIL provider about the residents you will be living with will help you to make a decision as to whether this setting is right for you.

Information that could be helpful to know about your potential co-residents:

• Age
• Disability
• History with SIL provider - how long have they lived here?
• Support needs - are these similar to yours?
• Any behaviours of concern?
• Any known triggers or potential risks for conflict?
• What are the minimum and maximum number of residents?

It is not a requirement for all residents to have an intellectual disability, however this may be an important underlying factor to consider when matching yourself to an existing setting.

It is important for both yourself and the other residents to feel safe and happy at home. While not essential, it is ideal for you to share a SIL service with residents who have similar support needs to you, so the roster of care can be divided equally when support is shared.

The SIL roster should incorporate individual 1:1 support for you if this is what you require i.e. for personal care routines, however other supports will likely be in a shared capacity.

When there is a mismatch in resident support needs, there is a risk that you may not be receiving the support that you need. Ask the SIL provider how they will address this to maintain the safety and well-being of all residents.

How do I find a SIL provider?

You are not automatically allocated to a SIL provider. You have choice and control over which provider you engage with for SIL.

The SIL provider you select will assist in preparing a roster of care. This will be submitted to the NDIA alongside any other reports and evidence as part of your Home and Living application.

Get in touch with our Connections Team for assistance in navigating the NDIS and finding a SIL provider in your area.

Find SIL

Overview of Intellectual Disability

The terms mild, moderate, severe and profound are used to describe the severity of a person's intellectual disability.

An intellectual disability can result in difficulties in a range of areas related to understanding, communicating, socialising and emotions.

An intellectual disability can impact your ability to care for yourself and manage your daily living needs.

An intellectual disability may coincide with a physical disability, where a co-occurring condition is diagnosed, such as Cerebral Palsy.

A severe or profound intellectual disability is likely to coincide with a physical disability that may necessitate the following:

• High level of care support
• Use of assistive technology for mobility, transfers and engaging in personal care routines
• Accessible home environment to perform your daily routines

If this is the case, SDA may be a support suitable for you.

What is SDA?

SDA is the acronym for Specialist Disability Accommodation. 

The NDIS describe SDA as being a range of housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

SDA dwellings have accessible features to help residents live more independently and allow other supports to be delivered better or more safely.

SDA can be provided across the following settings:

• Apartment
• Villa
• Duplex
• Townhouse
• House

There are different levels of SDA with varying accessibility features you require depending on the complexity of your physical support needs. These levels are:

Does SDA also include support?

No, SDA refers to the physical environment only. SDA does not include support.

To meet your support requirements, this will need to be arranged separately. Support needs can be met through drop in supports, Supported Independent Living (SIL), concierge support etc.

Find out more about SIL for Intellectual Disability here:

• Understanding Supported Independent Living and Intellectual Disability
• Intellectual Disability - How to Get Funding for Supported Independent Living (SIL)
• How to maximise your SIL funding with an Intellectual Disability

What is the eligibility criteria for SDA?

There is quite strict eligibility criteria for SDA, as only a small percentage of participants on the NDIS are considered entitled to SDA.

The NDIA advise that most participants don’t need to live in SDA, and there may be other home and living supports that are more suitable.

To meet the eligibility criteria for SDA, you must be able to demonstrate one of the following:

• have an extreme functional impairment
• have very high support needs

SDA and Intellectual Disability

Extreme Functional Impairment

To be considered as having an extreme functional impairment related to your intellectual disability, you need to have difficulties completing daily tasks on your own, or not be able to complete them at all.

You must present with difficulties with one or more of the following:

• Mobility – such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a bed or a chair, carrying or moving items, and getting out of the house.
• Self-care – such as washing yourself, going to the toilet, getting dressed, eating, drinking, talking and taking medication.
• Self-management – such as housework, following routines, making friends and relationships, maintaining boundaries and managing your behaviour.

Very High Support Needs

To be considered as having very high support needs, this means you require a lot of person-to-person support for a significant part of the day. You either need direct access to support, by having a support person with you or contactable for immediate support.

In this case, SDA may be considered most appropriate for you if:

• Your family or friends can’t give you this support or maintain the level of support you need. 
• SDA will help reduce any safety risks to you or to others around you.

The NDIA have made allowances for individuals who have lived in a place like SDA for a long time, supporting a transition to SDA. The aim here is to reduce the difficulties that may be experienced for someone with an intellectual disability to explore and transition to other housing options.

How do the NDIS know if I have an extreme functional impairment or very high support needs?

To apply for SDA, you must submit a Home and Living Supporting Evidence Form. This includes a form you can complete yourself or it can be completed by someone else, such as:

• Family
• Close friend
• Support Coordinator

This must be submitted alongside a Change in Situation Form to the NDIS.

Alongside this request, it is recommended that you gather other information regarding your disability and support needs, with specific recommendations relating to your eligibility for SDA and requirements of an accessible property.

This information may be prepared by an allied health professional, such as an Occupational Therapist, to provide a detailed overview of your functional capacity and support needs.

How can I be assessed for SDA?

You will also have the best chance of success applying for SDA by undertaking a Functional Capacity Assessment completed by an Occupational Therapist.

The Function Capacity Assessment Report for SDA should include additional recommendations that specify your requirements for SDA related to your disability, and other considerations for SDA regarding the design type, building type, location etc.

Find an OT

You are not guaranteed approval for SDA even if you have an OT report that recommends SDA for you. Ultimately, the decision to approve or decline requests for funding is up to the NDIA.

What happens if I am not eligible for SDA?

If you have an intellectual disability that is classified as mild or moderate, it is not likely that you will be deemed eligible for SDA. This is because the level of impairment and subsequent support needs do not meet the NDIA’s expectations for what is required to be approved for SDA.

You will need to explore alternative housing options, such as home ownership, private rental or subsidised housing through other agencies, such as DCJ Housing.

You can still arrange to receive support across these home settings in line with your needs.

Find an SDA Provider

The MyCareSpace Connections Team can assist you with finding the right SDA provider for you with vacancies.

Connect with our team to find out more.

Find SDA
 

What is an Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disabilities are identified by the NDIA as mild, moderate, severe or profound in accordance with current DSM-5 criteria. The severity of your disability reduces your level of independence and increases your reliance on others. 

An intellectual disability affects how a person thinks, learns and processes information. As a result of a severe or profound disability, you are likely to also demonstrate high physical support needs due an associated physical impairment.

Intellectual Disability and Physical Impairment

What is physical impairment?

This describes the difficulties someone experiences moving their body to walk, sit down, roll over and move their limbs.

In severe cases, people with intellectual disability demonstrate high physical support needs. This is due the significant impact their cognitive impairment has on their physical skills and abilities.

Physical impairment may also be a result of a condition co-occurring with an intellectual disability, such as Cerebral Palsy.

Physical impairment can also be attributed to delays in achieving developmental milestones and overall physical development, whereby an intellectual disability can impact motor coordination skills.

High Physical Support Needs

High physical support needs involve a high level of person-to-person support and the use of assistive technology.  This is directly related to a physical impairment.

What is person-to-person support?

Person-to-person support may involve one person or two people helping you with the various routines that make up your day, including showering, eating, drinking, toileting, etc.

These tasks typically involve manual handling, where you may require assistance to transfer or reposition. 

What is manual handling?

Manual handling involves the practice of safe movements and lifting to reduce the risk of injury to the participant and support workers involved.

In this case, using assistive technology may be necessary. This is to keep you and your support workers or carers safe.

Due to cognitive impairment resulting from your intellectual disability, it may not be safe to operate assistive technology independently. In most cases, assistance is needed to operate devices to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

What Assistive Technology Will Help Participants with Intellectual Disability?

There is a wide range of assistive technology that can support NDIS Participants with severe or profound intellectual disability.

A common question our NDIS Navigators are asked is "What assistive technology can I use my NDIS funds for to help with my intellectual disability?"

We asked our resident OT to tell us what type of equipment she regularly prescribes to assist NDIS Participants with severe or profound intellectual disabilities.

Here are the main assistive technology solutions she mentioned:

• ​Mobility Devices such as a wheelchair
• Transfer Assistive Technology such as hoists and slings
• Bedroom Assistive Technology such as adjustable beds and pressure mattresses
• Bathroom Assistive Technology such as shower commodes and toilet equipment
• Living and Dining Assistive Technology such as seating and special trays
• Kitchen Assistive Technology such as tools to help you cut and prepare food

Mobility Devices to Support NDIS Participants with Intellectual Disability

Manual and Powered Wheelchairs

A manual wheelchair involves a seat and backrest attached to a frame with two large wheels with push-rims. Either the user self-propels the wheelchair, or it is attendant propelled via handlebars positioned at the rear of the backrest.

It can be difficult to accommodate seating and positioning needs for someone with a severe or profound intellectual disability in a manual wheelchair.

A powered wheelchair involves a base with motorised wheels that are controlled by a joystick. Attached to the base include a cushion, backrest, armrests and any other postural supports required.

A powered wheelchair offers a high level of customisation for seating and postural supports. This is often necessary for individuals with a severe or profound intellectual disability with a significant impact on their functional capacity.

To operate a powered wheelchair, the joystick can be placed at the front of the armrests for the user to operate, or at the top of the backrest for carers to operate (or both). Carer operation may be necessary to cater to your intellectual disability.

Transfer Assistive Technology

Mobile Hoist

A mobile hoist is a device that is designed to lift and carry (transfer) you from one surface to another. This may be from your bed to your wheelchair, or from your wheelchair to shower commode.

It has a mobile base that can be wheeled from room to room, so long as there are no steps inside the home or other obstacles. Typically, two support workers or carers are required to operate a mobile hoist.

Ceiling Hoist

A ceiling hoist is a device attached to a frame that is built into your ceiling. It can transfer you between surfaces, and can sometimes travel between rooms. It is usually easier to handle compared to a mobile hoist and usually requires one or two support workers or carers to operate.

Sling

Both a mobile hoist and a ceiling hoist require the use of a sling that attaches to the hoist via straps. A large fabric sling supports your whole body when you are lifted between surfaces.

Slings can come in all different shapes and sizes, and be made of different materials and straps designed for a variety of hoists.

Standing Hoist

If you can weight-bear, but require a bit of additional support to stand up, a standing hoist can help you with completing transfers i.e. standing from sitting at the edge of your bed, wheelchair, or recliner chair.

Various slings and straps are available to assist you in using your standing hoist. Typically, a standing hoist is operated by one support worker or carer.

Bedroom Assistive Technology

Hi-lo Adjustable Bed

Bedroom assistive technology involves a hi-lo adjustable bed.

An electronically powered hand remote is available to adjust the power features of the bed. 

The power features have various benefits, including:

• Raised back section - elevates the head and body for comfort, positioning, breathing, and eating.
• Lower limb elevation and knee break - supports the lower limb in an elevated position for comfort, pressure care management, management of swelling etc.
• Height adjustability - the bed can be lowered to assist you with standing transfers (if completed), or raise the bed to a height best suited for support workers or carers providing care to you in bed.

An adjustable bed is beneficial for someone with a severe or profound intellectual disability who has difficulty adjusting and repositioning in bed.

Pressure Relieving Mattress

Various pressure-relieving mattresses are necessary for individuals with a severe or profound intellectual disability.

Pressure-relieving mattresses may be:

• Foam mattress - consisting of various layers of foam to immerse the body and distribute pressure
• Alternating air mattress - Air cells within a mattress that are inflated and deflated by an automated pump to redistribute pressure throughout the body for pressure care management
• Combination of foam and air mattress - a pump-free mattress that combines air cells and foam padding to achieve comfort and pressure care management

Bathroom Assistive Technology

Mobile Shower Commode

A mobile shower commode is a waterproof wheeled device that has a similar setup to a wheelchair. It may be helpful for you if you cannot stand to shower and/or require support for personal-care routines.

A mobile shower commode typically has an oval gap in the centre of the padded commode seat, similar to the inside of a toilet seat. This is beneficial as the commode can be wheeled over a toilet so that it can also be used for toileting.

A mobile shower commode requires an accessible bathroom. This involves level (flat) access to a shower recess which ideally does not contain glass screens or doors. The toilet seat needs to be low enough for the commode to wheel over.

Mobile shower commodes are more commonly required by people with a severe or profound intellectual disability who require a hoist to complete transfers. This is because they may not be able to transfer on and off a standard toilet or shower chair.

Additional positioning aids and supports can be attached to the commode.

Over Toilet Aid

An over toilet aid is a frame that can be positioned over your toilet to assist with sit-to-stand transfers. This is beneficial for people with a moderate or severe intellectual disability who can stand and walk, and need a little more support with transfers.

An over toilet aid can promote your independence and reduce the need to rely on a support worker or carer to get on and off the toilet.

Shower Chair

In some cases, a shower chair may be the support you require in the shower if standing and balancing during your showering activity is difficult.

Shower chairs come in all shapes and sizes, including shower stools with or without backrests and armrests.

Living and Dining Assistive Technology

Living and dining supports can often be overlooked when mobility and transfer assistive technology are prioritised. For someone with a severe or profound intellectual disability and high physical support needs, a standard couch or armchair is unlikely to meet your needs and sitting upright and maintaining comfort will be a challenge.

In this case, a disability-specific recliner chair with additional positioning features is required, to provide an opportunity to sit somewhere else that isn’t your wheelchair or bed for relaxation, leisure and social engagement.

A tray table on wheels that is compatible with the recliner chair is beneficial for eating meals and performing activities.

Kitchen Assistive Technology

Meal preparation aids can be beneficial for individuals with moderate intellectual disability who may have difficulties engaging in the kitchen for meal preparation.

What are kitchen and meal preparation aids?

Kitchen and meal preparation aids are assistive technology or devices to reduce the demands of meal preparation by offering additional support, and stability and reducing the fine motor demands.

Some examples of kitchen and meal preparation aids include:

• Modified chopping board
• Spreader boards
• Modified knives and utensils (thicker or different handle designs)
• Easy open devices - one-touch bottle, jar and can openers
• Kettle tipper device
• Thermomix (in some cases if deemed appropriate following trial with an OT)

Summary

There is a wide range of assistive technology available, with only some of the useful daily living aids discussed above. To learn what is right for you, you may benefit from a Functional Capacity Assessment from an Occupational Therapist.

Find an Occupational Therapist

The MyCareSpace NDIS Navigators can connect you with support workers who have experience with intellectual disability in your area.

Find a Support Worker 

What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?

To learn the basics of SIL, the following resource provides a fantastic overview of: Understanding Supported Independent Living and Intellectual Disability

The Logistics of SIL

Whether you are applying for funding for SIL, or are already accessing SIL services, it is important to understand how SIL is funded in your NDIS plan and what is included and excluded when it comes to SIL supports. 

There is often confusion about how SIL can be funded in your home or a home you share with others. Read on to understand how it all works.

Where is SIL funded in my NDIS plan?

Across NDIS Plans, there is a new category called the Home and Living Supports (Category 16) which appears within the Core Support Budget. This budget is allocated for support for living options in line with your disability needs.

This funding can only be used flexibly within this category, and not across the remaining Core Support budget categories.

Within the Home and Living Supports budget, funding may be available in your NDIS plan for the following:

• Short-term accommodation (STA)
• Medium-term accommodation (MTA)
• Supported Independent Living (SIL)
• Independent Living Options (ILO)

SIL is considered a long term living option, with the primary purpose of supporting you in your home to live alone or with others.

SIL funding includes at-home support or supervision to build skills in self-care, independence and maintaining a safe home for people with higher support needs.

Does SIL include accommodation?

SIL involves the funding for support provided to you in the home environment.

It does NOT include the home environment where you live.

This means, SIL does not cover the cost of rent, board or lodging costs.

If you require disability-specific accommodation, you may be eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). See further details here: What is SDA and SIL?

The NDIS do not generally provide funding for housing, except for SDA. If you do not meet the criteria for SDA eligibility, you will be required to cover the cost of your accommodation.

If you require affordable housing or are at risk of homelessness, there are state or territory government programs that can help you. Learn more about Housing and Community Infrastructure outlined by from the NDIS directly.

Does SIL include groceries and other day-to-day expenses?

SIL does not include day-to-day living costs that are not related to your disability support needs.

The cost of groceries are not included in SIL. This is a cost you are required to cover.

If you live with others, you may arrange between yourselves to contribute towards shared groceries. In some SIL arrangements, the staff may assist by facilitating online orders and monitoring household supplies.

The cost of utilities such as gas, electricity, water, telephone, and internet bills are also not included in SIL. This is a personal expense for you to cover.

Expenses related to holidays, including travel costs, are also not funded by SIL.

What happens to SIL if I am in hospital?

SIL is not responsible for providing you with personal support while you are admitted to hospital.

The health system is responsible for you meeting your support needs while you are under hospital care.

You will need to discuss ongoing payments for SIL with your SIL provider directly if you are not home to receive it.

It is important to review your service agreement to understand the provider’s policies about the payment for services when the participant is not present. Make sure you are comfortable with these terms before signing the agreement with your chosen provider.

Is staff training required for Intellectual Disability in the NDIS?

Undertaking training specific to intellectual disability is not a requirement for service providers of SIL in the NDIS.

Some providers may be more familiar with supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities than others.

Before engaging with a service provider, it is important for you to understand the staff’s experience working with people with intellectual disabilities if you are after quality care that aligns with your needs.

Consider asking the following:

• Do you support any existing participants who have intellectual disability? If yes, please describe the model of care, i.e. what does support in the home look like? How are supports shared? How are supports individualised?
• If required, what assistive technology are your staff experienced with operating?
• If required, do your staff have any manual handling training? When was training last completed?
• Are they familiar with supporting any other medical conditions, such as epilepsy?

Receiving support from a provider who has the skills and capabilities is an important factor in maintaining your safety and ensuring your support needs will be met.

Does SIL = shared supports?

SIL can be provided across a variety of settings. SIL can be individual or shared.

Individual Support (Living Alone)

SIL can be provided individually to you in your own home. This means the roster of care is built around you alone, and may include a combination of 1:1 (one support worker to one participant), or 2:1 (two support workers to one participant). The ratio of care across different routines and activities depends on your functional capacity and relevant support needs.

Shared Support (Living Alone)

SIL can be provided to you in a shared capacity while you live in your own home. This model of care is described as Concierge Support.

Concierge Support involves on-site support shared between several participants, however the support provided is not considered live-in support. Instead, an office is set up nearby the residences and is typically staffed 24/7. Drop in support is available to residents on a needs basis and/or for scheduled check ins. Residents can contact the SIL Concierge Staff member at any time if they need one-off support during their day or evening i.e. support that is not part of their scheduled routine.

Shared Support (Living With Others)

SIL can also be provided in a shared living setting, where services are shared across two or more participants. It is not considered necessary for all participants to have an intellectual disability. However, all participants in the home must have the same or similar support needs to ensure the support can be shared appropriately.

Will I receive SIL if I don’t need support all of the time?

If you do not need some level of support all of the time when you are at home, it is unlikely that you will be considered eligible for SIL finding.

There are other options available to you for your support needs to be met. This may be through Assistance with Daily Life in your Core Support Budget, where drop in support is available as you require it.

How do I choose a SIL provider?

When SIL is approved in your plan, you will be provided with a sum of funding for SIL in your Core Support budget.

You are not automatically allocated to a provider, and have choice and control over which provider you engage with for SIL.

The SIL provider you select will assist in preparing a roster of care, utilising the funding allocated in your plan to cater to your needs across your week.

Need help finding a SIL provider? Get in touch with our Connections Team for assistance to navigate the NDIS and find a SIL provider in your area.

Find A SIL Provider