One option for people who are able to live alone is SDA with on-site shared support. On-site shared support is a system of support for SDA tenants combining individual planned support and support that is provided by staff located on-site and shared by tenants who need this service.

As a support coordinator or allied health professional, it is important to understand all housing and support options that the participant you’re supporting may want to explore. If the person you’re supporting is able to live alone, can spend some time without supports and is looking for a model that supports independence and flexibility, they may consider living in co-located SDA with on-site shared support (OSS).

This integrated model of co-located SDA apartments was developed to enable people with high support needs to live in their own apartment but be co-located with others (for example in an apartment building). It enables a more cost-effective provision of support because tenants commonly use a combination of individual planned support, which is organised by each tenant with their preferred provider, and on-site shared support that is available by staff located in the building and shared by tenants who need this service.

On-site shared support can provide for ad hoc or unplanned needs (such as help retrieving items not within reach) or for planned needs (such as help getting into bed). There is no list of supports that can or cannot be provided by OSS – this should be negotiated between the tenant and OSS provider according to the tenant’s needs and provider capacity. The key is that these support arrangements are individualised and flexible, unlike support provided in group homes or aged care. The Housing Hub provides more information on how support can work within SDA.