Going through a Supported Independent Living assessment can feel like a big step, especially for participants with high support needs where the outcome shapes daily routines, staffing and funding for a long time to come. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel a lot less daunting.
This article walks through what typically happens during an SIL assessment, who's usually involved, and what participants, families and support coordinators can do to prepare so the assessment reflects a person's real, day-to-day support needs.
What an SIL Assessment Actually Looks At
An SIL assessment for high-support needs looks closely at what a participant needs help with across a full day and night, including personal care, mobility, meal preparation, medication support, community access and overnight support.
Assessors also consider health and safety factors, such as any risks around falls, seizures, swallowing or behaviours of concern, since these all influence how many staff are needed at any given time and what skills or training those staff require.
Who's Typically Involved and How Funding Is Decided
An SIL assessment usually draws on input from the participant, their family or carers, support coordinator, and often reports from treating health professionals such as occupational therapists, GPs or specialists, to build an accurate picture of support needs.
This information feeds into what's often called a roster of care, which sets out the support required hour by hour across a typical week. The roster of care is what determines the SIL funding included in an NDIS plan, generally through the Core Supports budget, with pricing for support hours set out in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
What a Nurse or Care Team's Involvement Looks Like
Where a participant has complex health needs, a registered nurse may contribute to the assessment by outlining clinical support requirements, such as medication management, wound care or monitoring for specific conditions, so this is properly reflected in the roster of care.
Once support begins, the care team's day-to-day role is to deliver the support set out in the roster of care consistently, while staying alert to any changes in a participant's needs that might mean the plan needs another look.
How to Prepare for an SIL Assessment
It helps to keep a record of what a typical day and night actually looks like, including support that might be easy to overlook, like overnight checks, help with transfers, or support to attend appointments, so nothing is missed during the assessment.
Bringing recent reports from your treating health professionals, and having your support coordinator involved from the start, can help make sure the assessment reflects your real needs rather than a rough estimate. It's also worth asking upfront how often the roster of care will be reviewed, since needs can and do change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a roster of care in an SIL assessment?
A roster of care is a detailed breakdown of the support a participant needs across a typical day and night, and it's used to determine the level of SIL funding in an NDIS plan. It's developed with input from the participant, their support team and often treating health professionals.
How long does an SIL assessment take?
Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of a person's needs and how quickly information can be gathered from everyone involved. Your support coordinator can give you a clearer idea of timing based on your specific situation.
Can an SIL assessment be updated if my support needs change?
Yes, a roster of care can be reviewed and updated if support needs increase or decrease over time. It's best to raise any changes with your support coordinator so a review can be requested when needed.
An SIL assessment sets the foundation for the support a person receives, so it's worth taking the time to get it right. Epitome Support's registered nurses and care team can help participants and families prepare for an SIL assessment and provide the nursing and daily support that follows, so please get in touch if you'd like to talk it through.
