What Does 24/7 Support in a SIL Home Really Mean?

When people hear “24/7 support” in a Supported Independent Living (SIL) home, it can sound like a support worker is standing beside each participant every hour of the day.

In reality, SIL support is more personalised than that.

Supported Independent Living is designed to provide help or supervision with day-to-day tasks while supporting participants to live as independently as possible. Depending on a person’s needs, they may receive support from an individual worker or share support with other people in the home.

So, what can 24/7 support actually look like?

Support Throughout the Day

Daily support in a SIL home is centred around the individual needs, routines and goals of each participant.

Depending on the person, support may include assistance or supervision with everyday activities such as:

·       Personal care and getting ready for the day

·       Preparing meals and developing cooking skills

·       Household tasks such as cleaning and laundry

·       Following daily routines

·       Building independent living skills

·       Supporting safety within the home

·       Preparing for appointments, activities or time in the community

The aim is not simply to do everything for a participant. Where appropriate, support workers can help participants build their skills, confidence and independence over time.

The NDIS describes SIL as support that helps participants with day-to-day tasks within the home while helping them be as independent as possible and learn new skills.

What Happens Overnight?

Having support available overnight can be an important part of SIL, but overnight support does not look the same for everyone.

There are generally different ways overnight support can be arranged depending on a participant’s assessed needs.

Sleepover Support

For some participants, a support worker may stay overnight and be available if assistance is needed.

This arrangement may suit people who generally sleep through the night but need the reassurance and safety of having a worker available if something unexpected happens or support is occasionally required.

Active Overnight Support

Other participants may require regular assistance throughout the night.

In an active overnight arrangement, the support worker remains awake because the participant requires disability-related support during normal sleeping hours. NDIS guidance distinguishes active overnight support from sleepover arrangements when determining a participant’s overnight support needs.

The appropriate arrangement depends on the needs of the individual rather than simply the fact that they live in a SIL home.

Support Is Built Around the Individual

There is no single staffing model that suits every SIL home.

A roster of care can be used by providers and participants to map out weekly support needs, including when support is individual or shared and how support will be delivered. Current NDIS guidance states that providers can work with participants to develop a roster of care, although it is not a mandatory document that must be submitted to the NDIA.

This allows support arrangements to be built around the people living in the home rather than expecting participants to fit into a fixed staffing structure.

Our Approach at Fidens Support Services

At Fidens Support Services, we support many participants who require 24/7 care across our SIL homes.

We understand that this level of support is not just about meeting physical or daily living needs, it is about creating a safe, respectful and familiar environment where people feel genuinely cared for.

Our team does our best to ensure participants feel supported in a way that is warm, consistent and person-centred, as if they were being cared for by their own family members. We focus on building trust, maintaining dignity, and making sure each person feels comfortable, understood and at home in their environment.

Fidens: Your SIL specialist in Adelaide

Choosing a SIL home is about more than finding a property. It is also about understanding how the support around you will work each day.

If you are exploring Supported Independent Living with Fidens Support Services, our team can talk with you, your family or support network about your needs, daily routines and the type of living arrangement you are looking for.

Contact Fidens Support Services to learn more about SIL and explore a support arrangement that suits your needs, goals and lifestyle.

Contact us on 1300 574 244

Or email hello@fidens.com.au