Individualised Living Options

Individualised Living Options (ILO's) are an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) response to inflexibility in the ways that in-home supports are delivered in Australia to people living with a disability. ILOs are a model of support that utilise a combination of informal and formal supports to enable a person to move out of home or change their accommodation and live an ordinary life within their community. In practice the NDIS will look into a proposed accommodation arrangement and make a reasonable and necessary decision about if it sits within the ILO Framework.

This position has four primary functions:
1. Communication
- the establishment of a point of influence that enables participants to be heard. You should be clear that the most important roles and focus in this position is ensuring people are heard and initiatives relating to individuals are enhanced and applied. This part of the role involves developing clear communication pathways between ILO Stakeholders, including participants, families, co-residents and staff. Being able to build and maintain relationships is another underpinning feature of this role and we aim to be trusted partners in peoples lives when undertaking these arrangements.

2. Assisting in the finding and vetting of suitable ILO partners (people who contribute to an ILO).

3. Community Development - Supporting participants to maximise their access to meaningful community activities and valued roles.

4. Reporting - The NDIA requires ILO providers to report on ILO outcomes and how Milparinka responds to a changing home and living environment. This will involve hosting regular meetings, taking minutes and reporting back to the NDIA through clear documentation.

Most of the ILO’s that we do will be in the form of Co-Residency arrangements. This is where a person who does not have a disability lives with an NDIS participant, and the NDIA subsides or pays the cost of rent for that person in lieu of a predetermined set of supports provided by the Co-Resident. Some of the language being developed around this role are words like “Supportive Flatmate”, “Rental Stipend Arrangement”, “Passive Overnight Sleepover”.

The ILO Facilitator role will have an interface with the participant, family and Co-Resident in this arrangement, including some or all of the following roles:

- Meeting with the participant early in their housing journey once they are funded with Stage 2 ILO Supports.
- Fostering relationships with people who can add value to an ILO arrangement.
- Developing, posting and responding to Housemate Search ads in print, digital form or both as required by the participant.
- Seeking suitable properties and communicating effectively with external stakeholders.
- Inputting data into NDIS ILO documentation as required.
- Developing a community access plan around the person’s community in line with their needs and preferences to help them to engage in the community in new or established ways.
- Meeting with the Participant regularly to ensure that the arrangement is working, and reporting back to management if things are not going as planned, so that more or different support can be provided.
- Developing relationships within an arrangement with a focus on ensuring that the vision of the Participant is maintained and that value is being sought across all relationships.
- Providing a supporting role to family members.
- Holding onto an on call phone during required hours when the Co-Resident or paid staff are not present.
- While the above list establishes parameters for the work as this is a new position supporting new models of home living it is likely that the role will be developmental and fluid.

**Service Responsibilities**
- To be aware and perform all duties in accordance with the agencies policies and procedures.
- To be actively involved in corporate activities of the organisation, including Planning, Quality Assurance and Occupational Health & Safety.
- Shall demonstrate and understanding and knowledge of a broad understanding of disability supports, and be able to advise on relevant NDIS rules and procedural guidelines and requirements which relate to their areas service provision for people with disabilities.
- Other duties as required.

**KEY SELECTION CRITERIA**

**Desirable**
- Strong personal values focused on supporting self-determination and personal growth and a demonstrated history of putting these values into action.
- Ability to work in partnership with individuals and families in a range of complex and emotional times and environments.
- Well-developed organisation skills.
- Ability to identify new opportunities for individuals in the context of their personal ambitions.
- Ability to actively promote a positive culture and teamwork focused around supporting individuals.
- A demonstrated ability to be flexible and change work practices to achieve outcomes for individuals.
- Relevant qualifications/experience in humanities sector work will be