How NDIS onsite shared support provides life-changing assistance to SDA residents

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aims to support people living with disability to help them live independently and confidently. While the NDIS has already made a huge difference in people’s lives since its implementation, the needs of participants aren’t always predictable or one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, traditional support models just don’t cover those ‘what-if’ moments—like when help is needed outside of scheduled care hours.

This is where onsite shared support (OSS) comes in. It can be utilised in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to make sure participants are never left without help when they need it the most.

Let’s take a closer look at what OSS is, who it’s really useful for and how it fits alongside other NDIS services.

OSS is a flexible type of assistance specifically designed for people living in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The purpose of OSS is to provide ad-hoc, emergency or last-minute support when it’s needed outside of regular care hours. Think of it as a ‘just-in-case’ safety net for unexpected situations, rather than something planned and scheduled like other NDIS services.

Why would you need OSS?

Imagine an NDIS participant, Mary, living in an SDA. Mary may already have support workers rostered for certain hours of the day. For example, she may have a support worker come in at 7 to 8 am every day to help her bathe and get dressed for work. That may be the only planned support she needs every day. But what if the unexpected happens?

If Mary suddenly needs help getting out of bed in the middle of the night or if she requires urgent assistance because she spilled something on the floor, OSS can step in to provide the necessary support.

OSS can also step in to assist with happy problems! If a group of friends suddenly shows up at Mary’s apartment, and she needs an extra hand in the kitchen to serve tea, she can lean on OSS for this.

However, it’s important to note that OSS comes with specific limits under NDIS guidelines. Each participant can use OSS for a maximum of 2.5 hours per day, and they should be able to safely wait up to an hour if staff are busy assisting someone else in another apartment onsite.

These guidelines for OSS, which is listed as ‘unplanned onsite shared supports in Specialist Disability Accommodation’ in the NDIS pricing arrangements, ensure that it remains a complementary service, providing backup support without overlapping or replacing existing regular care.

The support is usually charged on a weekly basis and is often used in environments where multiple participants live together or separately at the same site. OSS can significantly improve a person’s ability to live independently. It addresses the gaps in support that may arise outside of planned support hours, but allows participants to enjoy their privacy if they don’t require assistance.

OSS is a valuable service for many NDIS participants who can benefit from a flexible and reliable safety net, particularly for those who thrive with occasional or less immediate assistance. By offering access to help as needed, this type of support allows participants to go about their day with the confidence that, should a need arise, support is just moments away.

Here are some of the primary groups who benefit most from OSS in specialist disability accommodation:

For participants who live alone or whose family members may need to leave the SDA during the day for work or other appointments, OSS guarantees that support is available for the participant whenever they need it, 24/7. This gives both the participant and their loved ones peace of mind.

An important consideration for OSS eligibility is whether a participant can safely wait for support if it isn’t immediately available. For example, if help is needed during a time when staff are assisting another person onsite, the participant should be able to wait for up to an hour. This service is ideal for individuals who don’t require critical intervention but may need assistance within a short waiting period.

Please note that in our SDA properties, Leora support workers will prioritise supporting you if your request is an emergency or requires immediate attention.

For participants who don’t require ongoing care but occasionally need short bursts of assistance (such as those who go to work and manage daily routines on their own), OSS is a cost-effective and practical solution. This short-term, ad-hoc support ensures that participants can have the help they need without needing to have a support worker stay in their own apartment 24/7.

To understand the role of OSS, it’s helpful to compare it with other NDIS services.

The regular NDIS support model typically includes personal care and assistance with daily tasks like getting dressed, cooking or attending appointments. These services are pre-scheduled with a support worker rostered to assist on specific days and times and are customised to the participant’s needs.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) is another NDIS support that gives a more structured, ongoing care for a participant that usually lives in shared living arrangements (this can be the case in SDA too). In SIL, participants receive continuous support and supervision from a dedicated worker covering a range of daily tasks.

Remember, OSS is designed to complement existing services by addressing needs that may arise outside of scheduled hours. But it is not meant to replace personal care or full-time assistance. Rather, it ensures that participants are covered during emergency situations or when they need help during unexpected situations.

Although not directly mentioned in the latest NDIS Review, onsite shared support aligns well with the review’s recommendations for more flexible, responsive care models. As the NDIS evolves, services like OSS are expected to play a critical role in addressing the growing need for personalised and effective care options in disability accommodation.

With its adaptable support model, OSS has the potential to not only improve the quality of life for NDIS participants but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient disability support system.

Leora Healthcare provides high-quality, personalised support across our SDA properties, with OSS available in apartments like Spring Square in Bankstown, The Grace in Hornsby and Lincoln Apartments in Williams Landing, among others. Check our SDA accommodation vacancies to see how we can help you maintain independence with the reassurance of support close at hand.

If you need NDIS onsite support services or want to discuss how we can assist with your specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out! Call us at 1300 65 11 33 or fill out this form.