MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITY SUPPORTS | HUNTER & CENTRAL COAST

Supported Independent Living

Our SIL support workers provide consistent supervision and skill building in a shared home owned by Hunter Care Group.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) involves shared supports with other housemates. We will develop a roster of care in the beginning to identify the supports each participant needs throughout the week.

Client retention rate

Home ownership rate

Client satisfaction rate

What is Supported Independent Living?

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is a service that assists people with a disability to foster their autonomy and capacity to lead more fulfilling lives. This shared living experience may be available to individuals with SIL funding in their NDIS plan.

At Hunter Care Group, our round-the-clock support with daily tasks is tailored to each individual’s unique needs. We help tenants discover what it takes to upkeep a home, bond with housemates, and connect with the local community – all in a safe and supportive setting.

NDIS-registered SIL provider in Newcastle

Discover NDIS-funded Supported Independent Living for people who need full-time support while living in a shared property. All of our Supported Independent Living workers are inducted by us and receive ongoing training. They’re never subcontracted.

We know that routine and consistency are important to reduce anxiety and help build relationships. Our SIL staff are allocated specifically to your home, aligned with your interests, goals and support requirements. You will have a team built around your supports to ensure stability and confidence in your team.

Our goal? To help participants live as independently as possible in an environment where they can make friends, have fun, and feel completely at home.

24/7 Supported Independent Living services

Trusted by tenants and families across Newcastle, our NDIS Supported Independent Living service can:

Help with everyday tasks, such as preparing and cooking meals, and personal care, such as showering and getting dressed
Offer support with chores such as cleaning and tidying
Go shopping to buy groceries and other items
Help with learning healthy eating habits and doing exercise
Enable participation in social activities outside of the home
Organise and oversee social activities in our homes, including BBQs, where our participants and staff can relax together
Provide basic medical care, including wound care, distributing medication, medical assistance, taking you to medical appointments

We love Hunter Care Group

Not even a week after our first interview and we were updated on how things were progressing and our son is looking forward to starting his program! What a difference a caring, well-organised service makes! Thank you, Hunter Care Group.

— Tiffany T

A dynamic company looking to change how supports are being implemented treat everyone with dignity and compassion while treating each person with an individualised approach.

— Kristen R

I have experienced supports through a range of services in Newcastle and Hunter Care Group is by far the best! Thank you, Hunter Care Group, you have changed my life!

— Susan K

This brilliant group of carers are amazing and the caring oozes out of all of them. With NDIS supports, the clients are supported with friendly carers with different experiences and hobbies. I have always been matched with workers suited to my needs.

— Lesley R

Excellent disability support service definitely deserves the five-star rating. Very highly recommend for NDIS plan management and one to one support. Prompt and efficient very happy with the service provider Hunter Care Group.

— Jo J

My son receives supports through Hunter Care Group for his NDIS plan and I have been blown away with the level of commitment from all involved. Always suiting my sons needs to experienced and suitable support staff. Thank you.

— David M

I am proud to say I’m a support worker with Hunter Care Group. This company goes above and beyond for all their consumers and staff. Management is amazing, they are always communicating with staff and consumers and always there to answer any questions or help in any way possible. I love every day working with my consumers and helping them with achieving their goals.

— Kelly B

Amazing environment to work in, really well organised and the staff are all so helpful and friendly to both clients and team members.

— Lyndsay G

I have been receiving supports through Hunter Care Group for two years now. I have always been supported throughout any process and the caring nature of those involved has supported me dramatically with achieving my goals and being comfortable with who I am.

— Susan K

When we met our COS from Hunter Care Group, he was friendly, gave us clear advice and was excited to help our son find good quality of life. It made us feel hopeful for his future to see someone so passionate about helping to make a difference in our son’s life.

— Tiffany T

4 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

2 Living Rooms

1 vacancy

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We are Hunter Care Group

In operation since the NDIS rollout, we’re one of Newcastle and the Hunter’s leading Supported Independent Living providers. We put people first and quality and compassion back into care. Our mental health and disability support services are simple, effective and tailored to your needs – and enabled by the latest digital systems.

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A hunter Care Group employee helping a man make breakfast.

Our easy referral process

Are you in need of Supported Independent Living services? We make the referral process quick and easy while keeping it personal – and personalised.

Make a referral

Step 1. Referral form

Complete the referral form in as much detail as possible so we can speed up our intake process. This information allows us to identify our availability to provide the requested disability supports and match the referral with the most suitable team member.

Step 2. Meet & greet

Once confirmed, one of our friendly team members will organise a time and place to meet. During this stage, we get to know more about the participant and how you’d like us to deliver the requested NDIS supports. We’ll also provide the participant with a welcome pack explaining our services.

Step 3. Goal plan

We compile the information gathered throughout the referral process to develop a comprehensive goal plan in line with the participant’s needs and requests. The relevant support worker or service will receive this goal plan to ensure we all work collaboratively to deliver high-quality mental health and disability services in Newcastle and the Hunter.

A man in a lifting sling being helped by a woman.

Step 4. Supports delivery

Get the disability supports needed in just 5-10 days. This estimated turnaround time from initial referral may take a little longer depending on service requirements. Our team will be in touch throughout the process so you know the expected timeframe. From there, we continually monitor and review supports to ensure they’re delivered to a high standard.

A hunter Care Group employee and a woman standing together.

Frequently asked questions

Supported Independent Living is a wonderful way to lead a more independent life while retaining access to the everyday disability supports you need.

For instance, SIL might be appropriate if your current living situation is unsafe or unsuitable for your needs. From shower access to medication management, you may find that living in a SIL accommodation will boost your quality of life.

As your SIL provider, we offer 24/7 support. Depending on your circumstances, we can assist you in your own private home or help you find shared SIL accommodation. Designed for your comfort and safety, all of our modern SIL homes are 100% owned by us.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) refers to at-home services that assist NDIS participants with day-to-day tasks so that they can foster independence and life skills.

On the other hand, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is purpose-built housing that has been designed for NDIS participants who have complex care needs.

If you are eligible for SIL and SDA, they will be funded separately in your NDIS plan. That way, service providers can deliver supports with more flexibility.

Depending on whether your care needs are standard or complex, Supported Independent Living funding can cover the cost of 24/7 support with:

Moving homes
Mobility and wellbeing
Personal care
Medication management
Shopping, cooking and dining
Household chores
Communication and community participation
Capacity-building activities, from budgeting to socialising

That said, it’s important to note that SIL funding does not cover every cost. Examples of excluded expenses include:

Rent and utilities
Everyday living costs, like groceries and cleaning supplies
Medical fees such as hospital stays
Costs within other categories of the NDIS price guide, including assistive technologies, transportation and day programs.

Supported Independent Living services are most suited to participants with high support needs throughout the day.

This funding must be approved by the NDIS, and its amount depends on what level of support is considered reasonable and necessary depending on your:

Age
Individual circumstances
Disability care needs
Level of independence
Current life skills
Lifestyle goals and preferences
Informal support network
Home modifications and assistive technology
Reports provided by allied health professionals and existing service providers

At Hunter Care Group, we can support you in accessing NDIS support in Newcastle, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Upper Hunter. Contact us to learn more.

You can apply for Supported Independent Living services under your NDIS plan. Therefore, to apply for SIL funding, you’ll need to explain its significance and necessity to your National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) planner.

The NDIS also reviews recommendations from Allied Health Professionals to determine your eligibility for SIL funding. Functional Assessment Reports (FARs) from Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and General Practitioners will need to be compiled.

While this can technically be done after you have found a SIL home, we suggest preparing all relevant reports first to facilitate the provider’s assessment of your suitability.

Once we have made you a tentative housing offer, your Coordinator of Supports will submit an Identifying Housing Solutions report and supporting evidence to the NDIS. As your SIL provider, we will also submit a SIL Quote and a Roster of Care to the NDIS.

From there, the NDIS SIL team will examine your SIL application and provide funding if suitable. Approval may take a few weeks to several months.

If SIL is in your NDIS plan, you’ll find it under the ‘Assistance with Daily Life (Core Supports)’ budget.

If you are interested in Supported Independent Living services in Newcastle, the Hunter Valley or Lake Macquarie, get in touch with the team at Hunter Care Group at (02) 4950 2269. We are always happy to work with you to secure your perfect SIL home.

You may be living with other house mates, depending on your funding and eligibility, set by the NDIA. With a focus on compatibility and care, we match individuals according to their personalities, interests and support needs.

Yes. You and your family will be included in household decisions. Within each SIL home, we will all work together to make decisions that fulfil individual and group needs. Know that your input will always be appreciated and respected.

The cost of Supported Independent Living depends on the extent of care that the individual requires i.e. whether needs are standard or complex.

The NDIS follows a regulated set of pricing structures and caps to work out the amount of payment for each support.

The NDIS pays for Supported Independent Living services on behalf of approved individuals. To access this funding through your NDIS plan, these supports must be considered reasonable and necessary.

Support work Coordination of supports Specialist support coordination Supported independent living Psychosocial recovery coach

Our recovery-focused supports

Explore our range of NDIS support services that help participants live life as independently and proactively as possible.

Two Hunter Care Group employees holding hands with a happy elderly woman.

Support work

Get the assistance you or your participant needs from a reliable, like-minded support worker.

Whether you want to participate in a sport, visit a hydrotherapy pool, go to a gaming group, or complete a TAFE course, we help our participants get out there, have fun and hit goals!

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Coordination of supports

Make the best use of your funding with the help of one of our coordinators of supports (COS).

As a provider since the rollout of the NDIS, we have deep connections with local support services, government departments and local businesses, ensuring your NDIS journey is efficiently moving in the direction of your goals.

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Specialist support coordination

We help participants with higher support needs overcome barriers and access the right support.

Does a participant or loved one have specific environmental or behavioural challenges and require a higher level of support? Our Specialist Support Coordinators can connect them with supports within a specialised support framework and build capacity.

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