Day 3  Agenda 
SILSDA VIC 

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 upcoming mandatory registration requirements for SIL providers and their implications for the care and support of SDA participants.

The panel will discuss how these registration requirements are designed to enhance quality, safety, and compliance across the sector, focusing on the operational changes providers will face.

Key issues include increased administrative duties, staff training, and ensuring the legal separation between SIL and SDA services.

The session will also examine the financial and operational challenges, while highlighting the opportunities for providers to improve participant choice, trust, and care standards, shaping a more streamlined, compliant, and participant-focused service model in the future.

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.

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.

This session will also explore how SIL providers can repurpose vacant SDA homes to support broader community needs, bridging gaps between housing availability and the need for quality care.

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 

Lunch 

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.

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This session explores how SIL providers can capitalise on collaboration with government-funded initiatives to address the underutilisation of SDA homes. As demand for crisis and transitional housing grows, SIL providers have a unique opportunity to repurpose vacant SDA properties to meet a wider range of community needs, such as mental health recovery or temporary accommodation.

Panellists will discuss strategies for integrating SIL services with government-funded programs and building partnerships with domestic violence shelters, mental health organizations, and other housing providers. This collaboration can enhance the use of vacant SDA homes, ensuring sustainable housing solutions.

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Attendees will gain practical insights into navigating funding opportunities, meeting regulatory requirements, and leveraging partnerships to diversify their service offerings and better support vulnerable populations.

This session focuses on how SIL providers can better understand the needs of mental health accommodation, 24/7 care, and crisis accommodation services, and how they can collaborate effectively with Allied Health Professionals to support individuals with complex care needs.

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As the demand for mental health and crisis accommodation increases, SIL providers must adapt to offer tailored services that align with the specific requirements of mental health care while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

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The session will explore how SIL providers can partner with mental health services and crisis accommodation providers to ensure seamless transitions for individuals moving from hospital or crisis settings into long-term care.

Strategies for offering round-the-clock care, addressing the unique challenges faced by those with mental health conditions, and maintaining high-quality, compliant care will be covered.

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Attendees will gain insights into building strong partnerships, enhancing service delivery, and navigating regulatory frameworks to ensure services meet the needs of participants while promoting social impact and sustainability.

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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