Supported Living Sydney
Supported Living is all about working together with you, your family, and your support network to create options that enable everyone to live a good life. We understand that a “good life” means different things to different people, but common themes include:
- Building valued relationships
- Ensuring future security
- Making meaningful contributions
- Enjoying the freedom to make choices
- Embracing the challenge of taking risks
Our Supported Living service gives people with disabilities the support they need to live as they want, with the same access to employment, housing, income, education, rights, and responsibilities as everyone else.
How Can We Support You?
Making connections in your community
Making Friends
Trying new activities
Daily Tasks
Cooking
Personal Care
Shopping
Budgeting
Health and wellbeing
Planning a holiday
Travelling on public transport
Getting to work and appointments
Daily living skills training can be one-on-one in your home or local community.
Our Supported Living Service also supports individuals under 18 and their families, both in the family home and community. Contact us to discuss your individual needs and requirements.
Our Supported Living Service Model
Living in Your Own Home:
- It’s our job to develop the supports and services that support people with disabilities to live in their own homes and be a valuable member of their community.
Participating in Your Community:
- We help you feel included - being present, feeling like you belong, and being missed when you’re not there.
- We engage the community and work in partnership with you and your personal support networks to create options that help you live a valued life as a citizen in your community.
Making Your Own Decisions:
- You know best when it comes to planning your life.
- We recognize the important role your family and personal support networks play in decision-making.
Getting the Right Support:
- We provide a mix of formal and informal/natural supports, investing in building your informal/natural supports.
- Our support is flexible to accommodate your changing needs.
- We only provide support where you need it.
Kate And Ruthy's Story
Meet Kate - her support worker Ruthy: an unstoppable team
Kate has always had a cheerful and happy disposition, aspiring to become an actress and be in the spotlight. Kate has faced many challenges in her life, however the support provided by Direct Support Professional (DSP) turned friend Ruthy has given Kate the confidence to shine in all that she does. In fact, Kate’s love for life and infectious personality has led her to become a household name and a much loved ‘celebrity’ amongst the locals of St Ives.
What is Supported Living?
Supported Living is an individualised service model that helps people with disabilities live with greater autonomy in their own home or chosen accommodation. It separates housing from support, allowing people to receive the services they need without moving to group homes. This service makes it possible for people to live in the home and setting that feels right for them, with the right support in place, whether that is with family or in their own private home.
Core Principles of Supported Living
Empowering Choice: Individuals can choose where they live, who they live with, and the level of support they require.
Social Inclusion: People are supported to participate in their communities, fostering a sense of belonging.
Personal Decision Making: Individuals have control over decisions affecting their lives, supported by their families and networks.
Service Delivery Model
The Supported Living service model provides flexible, evolving support to accommodate life changes. The service is person-centred, meaning it adapts to each individual’s needs. The model focuses on providing the right support at the right time, avoiding unnecessary services.
Key Service Components
Accommodation Support: Assistance to maintain and manage one’s living environment.
Living Skills Development: Support to acquire essential daily living skills.
Health and Wellbeing: Assistance to maintain physical and mental health.
Community Connections: Support to maintain social networks and community involvement.
Support Facilitation (Non-face-to-face): Includes coordination, documentation, and reporting to ensure comprehensive support.
Flexible Support Options
Unisson’s Supported Living service offers both formal and informal support:
Formal Supports are paid services provided by disability support workers, focusing on accommodation, emotional development, social connections, and more.
Informal Supports include relationships with family, friends, and the community. Support facilitation helps maintain and strengthen these natural supports.
Benefits of Supported Living
Empowering Choice: Individuals make decisions regarding their life plans, supported by their families and networks.
Flexible and Adaptive: The service evolves to meet the changing needs of individuals.
Social Inclusion: Active participation in communities, promoting belonging.
Family Involvement: Families and networks are integral in decision-making, providing peace of mind.
Housing and Support Separation: People can live where they want without compromise.
How We Deliver Supported Living Services
Unisson works with individuals and their families to create personalised living options, ensuring each person receives the support they need to live a fulfilling life. Support is based on each person’s goals and preferences, ensuring a flexible and adaptive approach.
Supported Living Service Benefits for Participants
- Increased Control: People feel more empowered and independent, with support tailored to their needs.
- Stronger Connections: Individuals form meaningful relationships within their communities.
- Encouragement of Autonomy: People are motivated to make their own choices and decisions.
Key NDIS Outcomes
Supported Living aligns with various NDIS categories, including:
Assistance with Daily Life
Social & Community Participation
Improved Living Arrangements
Improved Health & Wellbeing
Improved Daily Living
Supported Living – Why Choose Unisson?
Unisson stands out for its commitment to person-centred support, prioritising the unique needs and preferences of each individual. Our approach is rooted in respect, flexibility, and community involvement. We provide tailored support that fosters autonomy, community engagement, and a sense of belonging.
Supported Living FAQs
We’ve put together some commonly asked questions to give you more information about Supported Living and the services we offer. If you have any questions that you can’t find the answer to, please Contact Us.
What is Supported Living?
Supported Living, also known as Drop-In Support, is a service that helps individuals learn and manage everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, managing money, catching public transport, and more. These supports are typically provided one-on-one and can take place in various locations, including the individual’s home or a supported living house. Supported Living services are flexible and tailored to suit the individual’s schedule and preferences.
What tasks can Supported Living help me with?
Supported Living for those with intellectual disabilities can assist with a variety of tasks, including:
- Daily routines
- Cooking and cleaning
- Personal care
- Shopping
- Money and budgeting
- Taking medication
- Volunteering and working
- Joining a group or club
- Tips to make friends
- Catching public transport
- Working with Government services
Can support staff come to my home?
Yes, home supported living services can be provided in various settings, including the individual’s home, based on their agreed support plan.
Supported living accommodation is also explored in Individualised Living Options: housing arrangements can include living alone, with family, with housemates, or in co-residency with a support worker, depending on the participant’s needs.
To explore Individualised Living Options (ILO), please see our Individualised Living Options page.
Will this service help me learn how to do tasks such as cooking and cleaning, budgeting, and managing money on my own?
- Yes, the aim of Supported Living is to help individuals build the skills needed to do these tasks with greater confidence and autonomy. Support staff provide guidance and step by step help to support you to build capability in tasks like:
- Cooking and cleaning
- Managing your money and budgeting
- Catching public transport
- Volunteering and working
- Shopping independently
Over time, supported living services for adults are designed to reduce the level of assistance required from service providers, promoting greater fulfillment.
What is the NDIS name for Supported Living services?
The NDIS refers to Supported Living services under the category of “Assistance with Daily Life” in the Core Supports budget. This category is designed to help individuals with everyday activities, promoting greater fulfillment and participation in the community. Supported Living NDIS services provide tailored support to meet individual needs.
How is Supported Living funded under the NDIS?
Supported Living is funded under the ‘Core Supports’ budget in an NDIS plan. These funds are flexible, enabling individuals to choose services that best meet their needs. NDIS Supported Living providers bill in line with the NDIS Price Guide, which is updated annually. If you are looking for supported living accommodation near you, you can explore NDIS-supported options that align with your plan.
What is the difference between Supported Living and Supported Accommodation?
Supported Living separates housing from support, allowing individuals to live in mainstream environments while receiving tailored support. In contrast, Supported Accommodation involves living within a facility with built-in support structures.
What types of support are offered?
We offer a mix of formal (paid) and informal (family and community-based) supports. This includes emotional support, living skills training, and assistance with social/community participation.