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OT & SIL

Role of OT in SIL Assessments

OTs perform detailed SIL assessments to identify daily support needs.
They observe tasks like cooking, hygiene, medication, cleaning, communication, and behaviour (Cared).
They interview participants and carers, using clinical judgment and standard tools like FIM or MOHOST (Cared).
Their report justifies SIL by showing why 24/7 or ongoing support is “reasonable and necessary” (Cared).

Recommendations & Justification

OTs propose support ratios (e.g., 1:1, 1:2) and create a roster of care tailored to daily needs (OT Assessed).
They highlight risks such as safety issues, carer burnout, or isolation if support is inadequate (OT Assessed).
They compare SIL with other options like SDA or ILO, explaining why SIL fits participant goals best (interactionservices.org).

Submission & Approval

Once the OT assessment and roster of care are complete, a support coordinator submits them to NDIA (OT Assessed).
If approved, SIL appears in your NDIS plan to enable supported living arrangements (OT Assessed).

OT Expertise Enhances SIL Success

Teams with OT experience ensure reports meet NDIS criteria clearly and fully (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES GROUP).
They structure evidence based on the participant’s abilities, support needs, and NDIS policies (OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES GROUP).
They also suggest minor home modifications to support safety and independence (Helen Walker Occupational Therapy).

What SIL Covers

SIL funding supports help or supervision with daily tasks to live independently while building skills (NDIS).
It covers staff hours for personal care, daily living, and community access; not rent, groceries, or housing costs (NDIS).
SIL can be in shared or individual homes, tailored to goals and needs (interactionservices.org).

Benefits of SIL

SIL lets individuals live more independently, grow confidence, and gain life skills (ShiftCare).
Shared arrangements facilitate social connections and emotional support (interactionservices.org).
Supports are scheduled to match individual routines and encourage community participation (ShiftCare).

Eligibility & Planning

SIL is designed for participants with high and ongoing support needs who cannot live safely with informal supports alone (interactionservices.org).
NDIS assesses eligibility during planning meetings using OT reports and functional assessments (estara).
Evidence of daily living challenges and goals are essential to show SIL is “reasonable and necessary” (Matrix Healthcare).

Funding Process

SIL becomes funded once NDIA approves the roster of care in your plan (NDIS).
Evidence from OT reports supports this approval and ongoing plan reviews (NDIS, estara).

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