Individualised Living Options. (ILO).
Individualised Living Options, commonly known as ILO, are designed to help a person with disability create a living arrangement that suits their needs, preferences and goals. It gives participants greater choice over where they live, who they live with and how their support is provided. Every ILO arrangement is different because it is developed around the individual rather than fitting the participant into an established group home model.
Who may benefit from ILO?
ILO may be suitable for someone who:
Is 18 or over, or is 17 and beginning to plan their future living arrangements.
Wants to move out of the family home.
Wants greater independence but is not ready to live entirely without support.
Would prefer to live alone, with a chosen housemate or with a host.
Requires formal or informal support at home for at least six hours each day.
Does not require rostered support from a support worker 24 hours a day.
Wants an alternative to a traditional group home or Supported Independent Living arrangement.
Is willing to take time to explore, design and establish a living arrangement that works for them.
Has family members or other trusted people who would like to remain involved in their support.
ILO is generally not intended for participants who require continuous rostered support and active supervision throughout the day and night. Supported Independent Living may be more appropriate when this level of assistance is required.
How Eden can support an ILO arrangement.
Eden Lifestyle Supports can work closely with the participant, their family, nominee and other important people to understand what a good life at home looks like for them. This begins with listening to the participant and learning about their needs, strengths, routines, relationships and future goals.
Eden can help the participant explore important questions such as where they would like to live, whether they want to live alone or with someone else, what support they need at different times and who they would like to be involved in their life.
Once the preferred arrangement has been identified, Eden can help develop and establish the supports needed to make it work. Depending on the participant’s approved funding and individual needs, this may include:
Exploring different living arrangements and support options.
Helping the participant choose a compatible housemate or suitable host.
Developing an individual support arrangement.
Preparing the participant for a move into their new home.
Establishing routines that promote safety and independence.
Providing personal care and assistance with daily activities.
Supporting meal preparation, cleaning, laundry and household tasks.
Helping the participant build practical living skills.
Supporting decision-making and problem-solving within the home.
Coordinating paid, informal and community supports.
Developing backup arrangements for unexpected situations.
Regularly reviewing the arrangement and making changes when needed.
Eden’s role is not to take control of the participant’s home or decisions. Our role is to provide reliable support around the life the participant has chosen. We understand that the participant’s home is their personal space and should always feel like their home, not a workplace.
How is ILO funded?
ILO supports must be considered and approved by the NDIS before they can be funded in a participant’s plan. Funding is generally provided through the participant’s approved home and living supports and is developed in two stages.
The first stage is exploration and design. During this stage, the participant works with a provider to explore where and how they want to live, who they may want to live with and what formal and informal supports will be required. An individual service proposal is then prepared for the NDIS.
The second stage begins once the proposed arrangement has been considered and approved. Funding may then be provided to establish, deliver and monitor the participant’s ILO supports.
The amount of funding provided will depend on the participant’s disability-related needs, goals, informal supports and approved living arrangement. ILO funding pays for the supports the participant requires; it does not usually pay for the property itself. Rent, mortgage repayments, groceries, utilities and other ordinary household expenses remain the participant’s responsibility. Home modifications, community activities, work and study supports are also funded separately when approved.
Participants who are interested in ILO can speak with their NDIS planner, my NDIS contact, support coordinator or recovery coach about requesting home and living supports. Eden can also help participants and families understand the process and explore whether ILO may be a suitable option.
The benefits of ILO.
One of the greatest benefits of ILO is that the living arrangement is developed around the participant. The person is not expected to fit into a vacancy, an existing household or a set model of support.
An ILO arrangement can give a participant greater control over their home, daily routine and the people they share their life with. It can provide the right balance between independence and reliable support, helping the participant feel safe without taking away their freedom or choices.
ILO may also help participants:
Build confidence in managing everyday life.
Develop cooking, cleaning and household skills.
Make more decisions about their own routines.
Strengthen relationships with housemates, family and community.
Experience a greater sense of belonging and stability.
Reduce their reliance on family members for everyday support.
Prepare for greater independence in the future.
Remain connected to the people and places that are important to them.
Receive flexible support that can change as their needs develop.
For families, ILO can provide reassurance that their loved one has a carefully planned arrangement with reliable support and clear backup options. It can also allow family members to remain involved in the participant’s life as family, rather than carrying full responsibility for their daily care.
At Eden, we believe participants should have a genuine say in where they live, who they live with and how they are supported. We take the time to build an arrangement around the individual, creating a home life that offers choice, stability, connection and the opportunity to become more independent.