What SIL is
Supported Independent Living, or SIL, is help with, or supervision of, daily tasks in your home, so you can live as independently as possible while you keep building your skills. The NDIS describes it as support for people with higher support needs who need a significant amount of help throughout the day, every day, which can include support overnight. It is often provided in a home shared with other people, but it can be set up in other ways too.
What SIL support can cover
Within your SIL arrangement, support workers can help with:
- personal care, including showering and getting dressed
- planning, cooking and eating meals
- cleaning, laundry and other household tasks
- keeping to the daily routine you choose
- building the skills to do more for yourself over time
What SIL does not pay for
The NDIS is clear that SIL funding is for the support, not your day-to-day living costs. Rent, board, groceries, utilities such as electricity, gas, phone and internet, and vehicle costs are paid in other ways, usually from your own income. If you also live in Specialist Disability Accommodation, that funding pays for the home itself and SIL pays for the support inside it.
How SIL gets into a plan
SIL has to be included in your NDIS plan, and the NDIA decides whether it's the right home and living support for you. If you're not sure, talk to your support coordinator, your local area coordinator or us. We can explain the options in plain language and help you prepare for a conversation with the NDIA. Our support coordination team can also help you compare providers and homes.
Our approach
A consistent team matters most in SIL. We plan rosters so you see familiar faces, keep you, your family and your coordinator in the loop, and review the support with you as your goals change. If something isn't working, we want to hear about it early so we can fix it together. Every Psych Connect support worker holds an NDIS Worker Screening Check, a current First Aid and CPR certificate and has completed the NDIS “Quality, Safety and You” orientation. Workers who support children also hold a Blue Card.