Engaging with Providers
Housing Providers include SDA providers and the owners of non-SDA properties - the landlords. Support providers, such as SIL providers, sometimes also act as a landlord or own a property. It is always preferable to have separate providers for housing and support, as this promotes a person’s choice and control.It is important to provide enough information when presenting housing options, to allow for an informed decision to be made. Having information on hand such as functional reports, recommended rosters of care or behaviour support plans will help with these conversations.It is also important to discuss anything which could cause the arrangement to break down in future. This includes staff experience and qualifications, and policies relating to pets, smoking or substance use as they relate to a person’s needs and preferences. Where relevant, always ask if the support provider is registered to deliver restrictive practices.
Questions for Providers
- Ask what minimum funding would be required to accept the person and meet their needs.
- Ask about timeframes to move in. This may include the recruitment and training of support workers.
- Ask about any out of pocket costs for the person, including rent, food, furniture and utilities.
Case Study
Rebekah was funded for a 3 resident, High Physical Support, SDA house. However, the hospital team recommended she live alone due to very specific support needs and significant behaviours of concern. Despite Rebekah’s shared funding, housing providers of 1 resident SDA dwellings were contacted and asked if they would accept her current SDA funding. Where the housing provider was open to this, a conversation with the onsite support providers followed to ask about their experience and qualifications, and confirm if they were registered to provide restrictive practices. Providers were given basic de-identified information to assist in determining if they could accept Rebekah’s funding and meet her support needs. Providers who could not meet her needs were ruled out.View the PDF version of the Engaging with Providers resource: View PDF