Gold Coast Day 3 SILSDA Maximising SIL Impact Conference Agenda  

Registration and Arrival 

Welcome and Introductions 

This panel session will focus on the NDIS Commission's ongoing efforts to refine the regulations for Specialist Disability Accommodation and Supported Independent Living providers, informed by the in-home and housing supports consultation.

Panellists will examine the anticipated review of NDIS Practice Standards and the development of new SIL-specific standards in 2025, co-designed with people with disability.

The discussion will address the legal and practical separation of SIL and SDA services, exploring how these changes will impact providers, tenants, and the broader housing and support ecosystem.

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Providers will gain clarity on regulatory developments, actionable strategies to adapt to evolving standards, and insights into compliance while improving tenant outcomes.

This session will explore the anticipated mandatory registration requirements for SIL providers and their implications for SDA and other social impact housing, including mental health and crisis accommodation.

With new regulatory reforms set to be introduced by the NDIS Commission in 2025, providers will face significant changes in compliance, reporting, and care quality.

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The session will discuss how SIL providers can adapt to meet these evolving standards while maintaining the legal separation between SIL and SDA services.

The anticipated regulatory changes will require enhanced staff training, reporting, and care quality checks, posing logistical and financial challenges. SIL providers will also need to navigate the relationship between SIL and SDA services, ensuring proper care ratios and high-quality, compliant care.

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Additionally, the session will explore how SIL providers can repurpose vacant SDA homes for short-term and medium-term housing solutions, including for individuals with mental health crises or in need of transitional housing.

It will also address how SIL providers can collaborate with mental health services, government agencies, and housing organizations to fill gaps in the housing continuum and integrate crisis accommodation into their service offerings.

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By the end of the session, attendees will have a clear understanding of how mandatory registration will reshape the SIL and SDA landscape, the operational and financial impacts, and how providers can leverage these changes to improve care and housing outcomes for vulnerable populations.

They will also learn how SIL providers can play a crucial role in creating more inclusive housing solutions for people with complex care needs.

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Break 

This session will delve into the impact of the NDIS reforms in 2025, which include the legal separation of SIL and  SDA services, and how these changes will affect staffing ratios and care delivery.

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With the implementation of new workforce regulations, including mandatory registration and enhanced screening for SIL providers, panellists will explore how these reforms influence the operational integration of SIL and SDA, particularly in providing 24/7 care for SDA participants while maintaining the standard SIL operations.

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The discussion will cover the operational challenges of meeting both care needs and regulatory compliance, highlighting how providers can navigate the complexity of staffing and service delivery when SIL and SDA roles are distinct but interconnected.

Attendees will gain insights into strategies for adapting to these changes, ensuring proper care ratios, and managing the workforce effectively in this evolving regulatory environment.

This session will focus on the funding challenges and opportunities available to SIL providers as they navigate the complexities of delivering high-quality care while ensuring financial sustainability.

The presentation will explore the various funding sources for SIL providers, including NDIS funding, government grants, and private sector investments.

It will address the challenges providers face in maintaining service delivery and expanding capacity while managing the financial constraints imposed by underutilised SDA homes.

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Attendees will gain valuable insights into funding strategies, overcoming operational challenges, and developing financial models that maximize social impact and ensure the long-term viability of SIL services.

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This session will focus on the different types of accommodation available for SIL providers, specifically Short-Term Accommodation (STA), Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA), and respite care, and how these services can support individuals transitioning from hospital care or in need of crisis and mental health accommodation.

The session will explore the key differences between STA, MTA, and Specialist Disability Accommodation, focusing on their role in supporting individuals with complex needs during critical transitional periods.

SIL providers will learn how to navigate these options, understand their regulatory and funding frameworks, and how to best support participants who are moving from healthcare settings to more stable living situations.

Practical strategies for integrating these types of accommodations into SIL care plans will be shared, with an emphasis on collaboration with healthcare providers, mental health services, and community organizations to ensure that the needs of participants are met effectively. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into how to incorporate STA, MTA, and respite options into their service offerings, helping improve patient outcomes and ensuring smooth transitions from hospital to community care.

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Panel session 

This session equips SIL providers with the essential knowledge to navigate the NDIS Code of Conduct and restrictive practices guidelines, ensuring full compliance while mitigating legal and ethical risks.

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We will also explore the implications of recent legal convictions related to breaches of the NDIS Code of Conduct, improper use of restrictive practices, and unethical surveillance monitoring.

These cases highlight the critical legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities providers must uphold under the NDIS framework.

Attendees will learn strategies to align service delivery with participant rights, enhance care quality, and build trust.

Through case studies and practical tools, providers will gain valuable insights on developing effective policies, implementing staff training, and balancing safety with privacy.

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This session will empower providers to enhance their reputation, ensure ethical practices, and uphold the highest standards of care across both NDIS and social impact housing sectors.

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Key discussion points include:

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• Understanding the legal and ethical obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct.

• Examining case studies to learn from past breaches and identify areas of improvement.

• Aligning restrictive practices and surveillance monitoring with the principles of dignity, informed consent, and individual rights.

• Developing risk mitigation strategies through robust policies, effective training, and person-centred care.

• Exploring practical solutions to balance safety concerns with privacy and autonomy.

This session will focus on how Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers in Queensland can enhance their services to meet the rising demand for 24/7 care, mental health accommodation, crisis support, and transitional care.

SIL providers are critical in supporting individuals with complex needs, including those requiring ongoing care, individuals with mental health challenges, and those transitioning from hospital discharge. However, challenges such as workforce shortages, funding complexities, and the underutilization of Specialist Disability Accommodation  homes can hinder providers' ability to offer consistent, high-quality care.

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The session will highlight how collaboration with community housing organizations, allied health professionals, mental health services, and support coordinators can help overcome these barriers.

By pooling expertise and resources, SIL providers can improve workforce capacity, better manage complex care needs, and integrate mental health support into their service offerings.

Attendees will learn how to leverage training solutions, develop personalized care plans, and create a coordinated approach to delivering 24/7 care to vulnerable individuals.

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Moreover, the session will explore how repurposing vacant SDA homes can address the urgent need for crisis and mental health accommodation, while providing options for long-term housing.

It will delve into how SIL providers can effectively navigate funding and regulatory pathways to support individuals who require continuous care, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing service delivery.

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Attendees will leave with practical insights on strengthening 24/7 care models within SIL services, understanding the unique challenges of mental health and crisis accommodation, and how effective collaboration can address the complex needs of participants.

The session will provide strategies for improving care quality, expanding service offerings, and ensuring that providers can meet the growing demand for mental health and crisis accommodation, ultimately promoting a more sustainable and impactful service model.

This session will address the evolving safety regulations impacting workers across all social impact housing environments, including SIL, SDA, and other community-based housing initiatives.

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With a growing emphasis on psychosocial hazards and workplace violence, the session will explore how new safety laws are reshaping the landscape for workers providing care in these settings.

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As SIL and SDA providers diversify their services to include more complex housing solutions—such as mental health accommodation, 24/7 care, and crisis housing—this session will examine the impact of these regulations on both staff and residents.

Panellists will discuss the challenges of maintaining staff safety in environments where residents may experience heightened stress or behavioural challenges, and how providers can stay compliant with the new requirements.

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Key areas of focus will include implementing comprehensive risk assessments, strategies for preventing and responding to violent incidents, ensuring adequate staff training, and fostering a culture of safety.

The discussion will also cover how providers can successfully navigate compliance while diversifying their housing offerings to include a wider range of vulnerable populations.

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Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to safeguard their workforce, comply with new safety laws, and adapt to the growing need for specialized care in a variety of social impact housing settings.

This session will provide actionable insights for enhancing worker safety and ensuring a sustainable, compliant approach to delivering care in an increasingly complex housing landscape.

Final Q & A session 

Networking and close