Supported living is
quite a simple idea…
A person with disability gets the support they need
to live in their own home.
If the person's needs change the support they get
can also be changed.
The most important thing is that the support
matches the person's needs.
This means the support services are designed for
the person…they fit the person, the person does
not have to fit the services.
This helps the person to live in their
community.
How supported living works has been described like
this:
"…a person with a disability who
requires long-term, publicly funded, organized
assistance allies with an agency whose role is to
arrange or provide whatever assistance is necessary
for the person to live in a decent and secure home
of the person's own."
John O'Brien, 1993,
Supported
Living: What's the Difference?
- The funding a person gets is just for them. It
is individual.
- The funding goes with the person and it changes
if their needs change.
- An agency helps the person to get the supports
they need to live in the home they choose and be
part of their neighbourhood and community.
- The agency does "whatever it takes" to get good
results for the person.
- Supported living is based on the belief
that people with disability have the same rights as
everyone else to live in and belong to their
community.
- An agency supporting a person coordinates the
supports needed for a person to live in a home of
their choice and to become contributing members of
their neighbourhoods and communities.
- It implies a "whatever it takes" approach to
achieving positive outcomes for people.
- Supported living is based on a particular view
and about the worth, rights, membership and
potential contribution of all people.
- It is happening now, for people with disability
in other states in Australia and around the world.
(examples)
- A lot has to happen to make
supported living a real choice for people in
NSW.
What is Supported Living?