Why Our Friend Chose An Independent Living Option - Host Living Arrangement

Disclaimer: To protect privacy, I have chosen to refer to our friend as Participant A rather than disclosing his identity. 

Participant A had been living in his own home with NDIS Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding since 2020.  During this time, he used two different providers to provide the 1:1 support required at home for Participant A to continue living in his family home.  The previous agency he was with consisted of a team of 20 and on some days, he would have four support staff provide support during the day. 

Sometimes, the staff would change at the last minute, and this would cause anxiety and stress for Participant A as he was not informed who was going to be attending the home next or what time they were arriving.  During the year he was with the provider, there was an escalation of aggressive behaviours towards staff and property, and the recommendation was that he go onto a restrictive medication to manage his escalations rather than manage how he was feeling having a large team with limited consistency, predictability and routine. 

The lack of routine, predictability, and consistency created unease for the guardian, as the escalated behaviour was new and not something he had experienced prior. The suggestion for restricted medication had to be implemented so the provider could still deliver support. Through word of mouth, the guardian heard that Best Life Support Services WA offered a unique service that provides Independent Living Options (ILO)—a host family arrangement. 

After an initial discussion and goals identified what the ideal arrangement would look like, the opportunity to advertise for a host family who would be happy to live with participant A in his own home was started.  There were many touch points to identify compatibility to ensure the match was suitable for a minimum of one year contract to live in and provide support.  A couple who resided in Brisbane and had experience providing host arrangements for over 20 years within their own home and a variety of participants who required support applied for the position.  Their experience included working in the Kimberley with remote communities, disabilities and aged care.  Video calls were regular in the lead-up to a date for the host family to start delivering support. A date to start was confirmed, and they embarked on the long travel by car from Brisbane to Bunbury, Western Australia, arriving a few days before undertaking training and some gentle introductions before they moved into participant A’s house.

When Participant A was onboarded, and the new arrangement was implemented, there were hourly questions about who was coming next. The support staff were able to communicate that they were handing over to the host and that they would be back the next day. The team had been reduced to 4. Initially, I would undertake some overnight support until the full team was in stage 4: Performing in the “stages of team development”.  The host would always be the person who is handed over to at the end of each community shift; this created a sense of ease for participant A. His days became predictable, consistent and routine.

Currently, there is a team of 5 who provide support to Participant A, and he is no longer on any restrictive medications, and behaviours of concern towards others and properties no longer exist. Participant A is well informed about what is happening within his week; if there are any changes, these are communicated in advance and regularly communicated leading up to any change in routine; some of these changes could be medical appointments, therapy changes, therapy providers coming to the house for a visit. 

At present, Participant A is thriving! He has community access five days a week and has a team of 5 that supports him with his independence within the home and accessing his community interests.  Participant A has been offered many opportunities to experience what his community has to offer; he has recently joined the Commercial Club, attended an all-abilities ball with his support worker, and regularly participates in music, dance, sailing, fishing and exploring his local area.  Participant A enjoys attending the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre (BREC) for shows and musicals, participant A will purchase tickets to attend at least one event a month.

Participant A's host living arrangement has made opportunities possible with the support of our incredible team! I can't wait to see what he gets up to next.