Choosing a place to live, and the people who will support you there, is one of the biggest decisions in a plan. Good questions make it easier.
Supported Independent Living, usually shortened to SIL, is help with everyday tasks for people who live in a shared home. Use these questions on visits, in conversations with providers and with the people who know the person best.
First, be clear what SIL is and is not
SIL is generally about the support a person receives in the home. The house itself, and the costs of living in it, are a separate matter. Whether SIL is funded, and how much, depends on the individual's plan, so it is worth confirming what your plan says before you start comparing homes.
| Topic | Support in the home (SIL) | The home and living costs |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Help with daily tasks and routines | The property and what it costs to live there |
| Worth asking | What help is available and when | What you would pay, and for what |
General guide only. Confirm how each applies to the person with their planner, coordinator or provider.
About the home and the neighbourhood
- Can we visit more than once, at different times of day?
- Is the home accessible in the ways that matter to this person?
- Does the person have their own room, and can they make it their own?
- How easy is it to get to family, shops, transport and things the person enjoys?
- What is the home like to be in: noise, light, privacy, space to be alone?
About daily support and routines
- What does a typical day and week look like for people living here?
- How is support arranged, and who does the person see most often?
- How much choice is there over meals, bedtime, activities and visitors?
- How will the person's existing routines be understood and kept?
- What happens at night, and if support is needed unexpectedly?
About communication and decisions
- How will you learn how the person communicates?
- How will families and other supporters be kept informed?
- How does the person have a say in decisions about their home and support?
- What is the process if the person or family is unhappy about something?
About housemates and vacancies
Living with others is a large part of what makes a home work. Ask how compatibility is thought about, whether the person can meet the people they may live with, and what happens if it does not work out. You can also ask what vacancies exist now, how long they tend to last, and how you will hear about future ones.
Things to clarify before deciding
- What is included in the arrangement, in writing, and what is not?
- What would change if the person's needs or plan change?
- How can the arrangement be reviewed, and how could it end?
- Who do we contact first with questions after the person has moved in?
It is reasonable to compare more than one option, to ask for answers in writing and to say you would like to think about it. A provider should be comfortable with good questions.
Where to go from here
You can read about supported independent living at WSS. If you are still thinking about the everyday side of living independently, preparing for independent living may help. When you are ready to talk it through, you can make an enquiry.
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About the author
WSS Resources Team
Western Sydney Services.
