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Planning For Change
Key Learnings
- The Independent Supported Living Framework can be used to create a home you love
- Home and living supports can be requested through the NDIS
At the moment you may be very happy where you live. You may also be wanting small or big changes to make your house feel more like home….
It’s important to remember that your wants and needs for home may change over time. For example, if a person living with a disability is currently living in their parent’s home and mainly being cared for by their parents, this support will likely change as their parents age. In this situation it would be good to have a plan for ‘home’ when this occurs.
Positivity and Positive Assumptions
When making plans, research has shown that having a positive attitude can be a very powerful factor to success.
Some positive thoughts could include:
- I have strengths that can be built on
- There are support people who can help me reach my goals
- I can choose to live in a house that feels like home
Can you think of anymore?
Some positive assumptions include:
- With appropriate support any person with disability can live in an Independent Supported Living arrangement
- People do not have to live with other people with disability, or with people they have not chosen to share a home with
- People with disability who live in an Independent Supported Living arrangement do not have to live on their own
Can you think of anymore?
Let’s move on to an activity where you can start exploring what you want your home to look like. In the table below, write down your wants, needs, safeguards and plans for creating a home you love. There are eight sections for you to think about, based on the eight steps you can take to bring your vision to life. These are explained in more detail below.
- Leadership – the people that will help you plan and coordinate resources (finance, people, expertise)
- My home – details of your ideal living situation
- One person at a time – who you would like to live with
- Planning – plans to bring your goals to life
- Control – developing choice and control over routines, safety and entertainment
- Support – deciding on the types of supports you need
- Thriving – how you will take part in community life and live your best life
- Social Inclusion – how you will grow friendships
Your answers can be as straightforward or as long as you like. It doesn’t matter if you can’t answer all of the questions right now as you can always come back to them later. It will also help to think back over all the workshops and notes you have taken so far in the series. Let’s get started!
The Independent Supported Living Framework
Leadership:
- My allies understand, support and help me action my vision of home
My Home:
- A secure long-term home is best, where I can be free to do typical things
- My home reflects my personality and interests
One Person at a Time:
- I get to choose where I live and with who
- My living arrangements are centred around my interests, preferences and vision
Person-Centred Planning:
- I will work actively with close allies to achieve my vision and goals
- I will also look to the future and prepare in a structured way, rather than just focusing on the current situation
Control:
- Together with my close allies I will use and develop my ability to express choice and control in my living arrangements
Support (Topic 3):
I will seek support from:
- my natural networks, like my family, friends and housemates and
- my specialised networks such as formal paid support workers
Thriving (Topic 1):
- I will participate in my community through valued social roles
- I have opportunities for personal growth and development, and to experience my best life
Social Inclusion: (Topics 1,2,6)
- I am connected to community with networks of people who know me
- I have opportunities for developing friendships
Now that you have worked through all eight themes in the table, is your vision for home clearer?
No matter how large or small - the prospect of change can seem challenging, uncertain and stretch us out of our comfort zone.
Do you relate to the quote above? It reminds us that it can take courage to make changes, but it can also bring great things!
Request For Home and Living Support
NDIS participants are encouraged to complete a home and living support application if they have a goal related to home that is not able to be met through mainstream, informal, community or related supports.
The form explains that the NDIS may provide funding for:
- Support to explore different housing options
- Support to develop skills for independence
- Modifications or assistive technology to make your current home more accessible
- Support and help to complete day-to-day tasks
- Specialised supports for care and accommodation for people with complex needs
For more information you can access the form here.
Thinking about all the possibilities for home covered in this workshop, take a minute to write down your current home and living vision and goals below:
You did it! Congrats on completing Topic 5 – Feeling at Home. You learnt about:
- Qualities that make up a home
- Types of living arrangements available
- Ways you can make your vision of home a reality
Next up is Topic 6 – Connecting With Your Community. This course will help you understand the benefits of connection and provide some ideas on how you can connect with your community using your NDIS plan.
Click below to move on when you are ready…
