How some participants use SIL

Learn how some participants have achieved their home and living goals through supported independent living.

The NDIS has given Mitch a great opportunity to live away from home and gain more independence,” Laurie said.

Mitch has moved out of home with the help of SIL funding. After becoming an NDIS participant, Mitch has moved into his own home with housemate Jack.

Mitch now has such a busy social life, his mum Jo jokes “we have to book in to see him!”

Mitch’s SIL funding allows him to live independently. Support workers visit in the morning and afternoons, and stay overnight to support Mitch and Jack with cooking, cleaning and household chores.

They also help with shopping and getting Mitch out into the community.

“The NDIS has given Mitch a great opportunity to live away from home and gain more independence,” his dad, Laurie, says.

“In the past there weren’t many chances to spend time with people his own age and similar interests. Now he’s going out with people, to markets, for a coffee, they’re out and about all the time.

“Mitch can do so many things when he puts his mind to it. The NDIS provides a great opportunity to do that, to grow, have fun and enjoy life.”

Mitch works a nine-day fortnight at a local laundry company, where he’s worked for more than 10 years. Along with work, he’s always been an active sportsman, playing basketball, athletics, rowing and karate over the years.

While Mitch is loving his new found social life, his parents say it’s also given them peace of mind about his future.

“Mitch has quite often fallen through the cracks because his disability is not as visible as some others, or not as severe. But he still needs support with decision making, outings and household tasks and the NDIS now caters for which is fantastic.

“Our biggest concern is what would happen to Mitch if something happened to us. The NDIS has filled that gap and provided that support to Mitch.”

Steph joined the NDIS in October 2018, and within four months, she achieved her goal, to move out of the family home and lead her own life.

There is no doubt Steph loves her parents but as a 29-year-old, she couldn’t be happier living her own independent life in a share house with three other housemates who are all around her own age.

According to mum Diane, Steph, who has an intellectual disability with limited speech, just loves her newfound freedom.

Steph is living in SDA with SIL funding, which allows her to lead her own life – one she chooses.

“Every day she has something on,” Diane says. “She does cooking classes on Mondays and she goes swimming Tuesdays. On Wednesdays, Steph goes to what they call Mad Wednesday. It’s at the local sporting club. They have a DJ and they can all have a dance. She’s got a more active life than me,” Diane says with a laugh.

“Steph lives with another woman and two men and they are all around the same age. They all get along and treat one another like family. Steph, being nurturing, vibrant and switched on too, makes sure she looks out for them. It’s beautiful.”

Diane said their SIL provider has also assigned a mini bus to the house so staff can take them all out together to do joint activities.

Never accessing disability supports before, Steph joined the NDIS, in October 2018. Within four months, she achieved her goal, to move out of the family home and lead her own life.

He is living independently, with around the clock care, with two housemates, in a three bedroom home. It’s a safe and nurturing environment and staff treat him just like family.

Kristian’s parents, Jocelyn and Gary, were concerned their youngest son, Kristian, would more than likely remain living with them especially as they became older.

Jocelyn and Gary were eager to help build Kristian’s capacity in becoming more independent so he could enjoy a more fulfilling life, just like other men his age.

Two years down the track, the NDIS has given them hope for a much brighter future for their son. Kristian receives SIL funding as well as funding for a range of therapies, including speech and occupational therapy.

Ecstatic about Kristian’s results, Jocelyn and Gary say none of this would have been possible without NDIS funding to ensure their son had the continuity of supports he needed, and for the sheer dedication and determination of Kristian’s support team.

“Now we have enough funding for Kristian to provide him with the right supports and we can’t believe what a difference it’s making.

Not only has he started to verbalise but he is also living independently, with around the clock care, with two housemates in a three-bedroom home. It’s a safe and nurturing environment and staff treat him just like family,” Jocelyn says.

“He is participating in regular activities and strategies with his therapist and it’s helped him to develop confidence and a willingness to communicate,” she said.

“A few months ago one of his support workers said he was looking down at his shoes and he said, “Shoe, shoe, shoe”. It was such a beautiful moment. I cried. I just couldn’t believe it. He’s also starting to say other words, so he is really leaping forward.”

“I’m just so thankful to everyone involved… for all the speech and occupational therapies, for the behavioural interventions and all the other supports he has been able to receive. He is saying words… I mean after all this time! I am just amazed.”