ILO stands for Individualised Living Options. This is an NDIS support that is designed to promote more flexibility for participants. But how is it different from SIL/SDA and who does it suit?
First up, ILO does not include the home - board, lodge, utilities - and is also not a group setting like SIL & SDA (Supported Independent Living and Specialist Disability Accommodation). Finally, unlike SIL/SDA, ILO is not a program of rostered care (i.e. 1:1 support ratio).
"ILO supports let you work out how you want to live, where you live and who you live with. There are lots of choices with ILO. You can share your home with friends or housemates. Or you might want a Host arrangement or on your own with tailored support". - NDIS
How the NDIS Funds ILO
There are 2 stages to how the NDIS fund ILO.
Design
Implementation
Design
You begin by creating a plan of what ILO looks like for your specific needs and goals. This includes where you want to live; who you want to live with and the types of supports you want and need. It's important you start to get an idea of who you want to provide your supports at this stage as well. This could be an independent support worker, agency or NDIS Registered service provider. Your support coordinator (if you have one) or NDIS local area coordinator can assist with this.
Implementation
The second part is to implement these supports. Remember, this is all about flexibility, so if anything needs to be changed, the NDIS can update the funding based on your needs to provide safety, flexibility and stability.
Informal Supports
Did you know: your friends and family - also known as informal supports - can form part of your support plan?
It's very important you are realistic about your needs and what informal supports you receive, which could change in the future. The NDIS need to understands the role family and friends play in your life, and the time it takes them to provide this.
An example of this could be as follows:
You currently live with your partner, and they assist you to prepare meals and navigate the home which has internal stairs.
Your partner is starting a new full time job in a few weeks, meaning they can no longer support you like they once did.
The NDIS need to understand what your partner did to support you and what impact it will have on you once they can no longer support you in the hours they're at work. Your home may also not be suitable if you cannot navigate it unsupported, so explaining all details will help you get the supports you need.
The NDIS won't look at funding the second stage (Implementation) until the first stage is complete.
How is ILO (Individualised Living Options) different from SIL/SDA?
SIL, or Supported Independent Living is for people who need significant support in daily tasks, like personal care. This is often in a group home setting and is rostered care supports (1:1, 1:2)
ILO has been designed around people who do not need 24/7 supports and can perform many daily living tasks, like personal care or meal preparation. It also frequently encompasses family and friends as informal supports. However, if you need supports for a minimum of 6 hours per day, ILO might be right for you.
Note: If your needs are significant and ongoing, and you don't have any informal supports, ILO may not be right for you.
An ILO is not:
a group home arrangement where individuals with disability are grouped together and supported and have not chosen who they live with
a ‘placement’ where children and adults with disability are placed with a family or other people to ensure a roof over their heads
a facility, hostel or other shared accommodation service
a program of 1:1 rostered care
standardised solutions where the individual is fitted into pre-existing, inflexible service options that do not take into consideration the specific needs of the individual. - NDIS
If you have ILO and would like to speak to Sunnysights, please contact us on (07) 3088 7935 or email: support@sunnysights.com.au
For more information on ILO, please see the following links to the NDIS website or contact your local area coordinator.
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