Every individual living with a disability who successfully applies for NDIS Supported Independent Living (SIL) support, is granted funding individually by the NDIA.
But on average, as part of the funding condition, most participants with SIL funding have to share their supports with two other housemates in a house.
There is some variation in allocated support hours for each participant during the day, depending on individual needs.
This sharing of supports is determined by what is known as the SIL Ratio of Support. 1:3 is the most common ratio.
At a practical level:
- Participants may only need one support worker between three participants while they sleep overnight
- the funding throughout the day can be a different ratio of support depending on the participants capacity.
So, a very important aspect of the Hearth Home Solution at the matching and compatibility assessment stage is ensuring that the roster within the house is coordinated and works well.
Because each housemates funding is individualised, every effort is made to ensure the participants can be safely supported throughout the time they are home.
This is not a given, at the very start of the process.
It can be particularly challenging when one individual has much more complex needs than the other two housemates.
The main point here is not to necessarily assume everything will work out just because SIL funding has been secured.
The Hearth Home Solution includes working out a coordinated roster of care as a very important step in the matching process.
