SIL refers to Supported Independent Living, and is the funding provided by the NDIS to a participant to cover the supports provided in a home.
SIL funding covers the costs of supports provided to individuals living in a home – it does not cover the bricks and mortar (e.g. the rent) or the daily living expenses (e.g. food and groceries).
Who receives SIL funding?
The NDIA need to decide that SIL funding is both reasonable and necessary for an individual, and that Supported Independent Living is the most appropriate model of support for the individual.
It is typically only given to someone who requires 24/7 support – i.e. support overnight as well as during the day. If the NDIA believes SIL funding is not required, a different support option needs to be explored, such as mainstream housing, drop in supports, home modifications, assistive tech and/or ILO.
How does the NDIA decide if someone is eligible for SIL?
In order to secure SIL funding in an NDIS plan, a participant first has to be assessed as suitable for SIL. Either the participant, their nominee or their support coordinator need to ask the NDIA to assess the participant for SI. The NDIA will need to review evidence in order to decide if someone is eligible for SIL. Currently, an OT (Occupational Therapy) report should be completed by an Occupational Therapist experienced in housing assessments. The OT will report on the best accommodation model for the participant, and make recommendations regarding the ratio of support the participant needs for different activities, such as preparing meals, getting up in the morning, overnight, and when accessing the community. The report will also outline why other accommodation options are not the most suitable for the participant, and outline those that have been previously explored. This report is given to the NDIA, who review this as evidence and then make a decision as to whether the participant is eligible for SIL.
Who is a SIL Provider?
A SIL provider is the organisation, such as Civic, who delivers the supports to the participant in the home. The SIL provider can be different to the housing provider, but may also be the housing provider.
Once a participant has been confirmed as eligible for SIL, they would choose a SIL provider to provide their supports. They may choose the SIL provider based on their preference, or based on a suitable vacancy the provider has available.
The SIL provider then works with the participant, their support coordinator or nominee, to develop a SIL Funding Application. It is not until the funding has been received by the participant or the provider, that they are able to move into the home.
How does the NDIA decide how much funding to give someone for SIL?
NDIA uses set rates to determine the value of the SIL, based on the ratio of support the participant needs during the day and overnight. To determine the funding, the SIL Provider works with the participant to document the supports they need at different times and for different activities. This is documented in an Excel Spreadsheet called a ‘Roster of Care’.
Using a templated formula provided by the NDIA, the Roster of Care calculates the amount of funding required based on the level of support needed at different times during a typical week. Once complete, the Roster of Care is submitted to the NDIA, along with a ‘Participant Profile’, and all existing reports, such as the current OT report. These reports are often referred to as ‘evidence’, and are reviewed by the NDIA’s SIL team alongside the RoC.
The NDIA look at the detail included in the reports to ensure the supports documented in the RoC accurately reflect the needs of the participant. If they don’t believe the RoC accurately reflects the needs of the participant based on the reports provided, they will adjust the RoC, and recommend a different amount of funding. For example, if a RoC states a participant needs 1:1 support at 6am each day, but there is no evidence in the reports to state why this may be, it will be adjusted by the NDIA SIL team.
Once the NDIA SIL team has reviewed a RoC and supporting documentation, their funding recommendation will be made to the participant, their planner and their support coordinator. The SIL provider will also be notified, and receive a copy of the RoC. The funding recommendation is then reviewed at the participant’s planning meeting and, if agreed to, a service booking will then be sent to the service provider within 2 weeks of the planning meeting. At this point, the participant has funds available to pay for their SIL supports, and is able to move into the property.
What is a Roster of Care Submission Tool?
A Roster of Care is an Excel Spreadsheet which documents the supports needed in a house during a typical week, based on the people living in the house. It is broken down into half-hour sections, and needs to be completed by the SIL provider in close consultation with the participant, their support coordinator and/or nominee, to document the ratio of support the participant needs during each half hour period of the week, while taking into consideration the support needs of the others who will be, or who already live in the house. For example, if someone requires 1:1 support when they take a shower, and they typically take a shower at 7am every morning, the ROC would show 1:1 support at 7am each morning for that individual, and a mix of 1:1 and 1:2, or 1:3 for the other individuals in the house (where there are 4 people living in the house). If they go to a day program or supported employment between 9am and 3pm, and therefore do not require support in the home during these hours of the day, this is also documented in the RoC.
As well as reviewing the supports required during a typical week, the RoC also allows providers to document irregular supports and adjustments that may affect a typical week.
What is a RoC Submission Template (formerly Participant Profile)?
A RoC Submission Template is a Word document that needs to be completed to accompany the RoC. When completed well, the participant profile should provide a detailed written commentary that fully explains and justifies the funding request in the RoC, and references the evidence (reports) that will be attached to the funding application.
Where do I find the documents that need to be completed for a funding application?
The NDIA frequently update the templates that need to be completed as part of the funding application. They should be downloaded from the NDIA website for each new application.
If you'd like to book a confidential discussion with us about Supported Independent Living, contact us today by calling 1300 692 484 or by emailing enquiries@civic.org.au.