ConnectAbility has been awarded a half-million dollar grant as part of a national pilot aimed at defining what quality Supported Independent Living (SIL) care looks like.
ConnectAbility is one of 44 organisations from across Australia chosen to play a key role in the study, which will focus particularly on people with complex needs.
We were proud to feature Connectability’s executive leader for Community Living Karla Seaman in the September issue of Hunter Disability Magazine (page 15).
Karla led the successful application and will oversee the project’s implementation, and explains:
“ConnectAbility has always been committed to delivering the highest standards of care for people with disabilities. This project gives us a seat at the table nationally to influence what ‘quality’ means in SIL and ensure participants receive the best possible support.”
ConnectAbility CEO David Carey recently shared the news with his 550+ staff and 1780+ customers via a company newsletter, mirroring Karla’s thoughts:
”With more than 16,000 registered NDIS providers nationwide and over 260,000 SIL entities linked to the NDIS, being chosen as one of just 44 providers highlights our reputation for delivering safe, person-centred, and high-quality supports.”
To ConnectAbility, quality support includes many things, such as comprehensive staff inductions, a robust training schedule, and the use of innovative technology from Best Med – medication software using AI to pick medication at participating Chemists, and Safety Culture – safety software that enables identifying and reporting hazards. Additionally, ConnectAbility has an overarching quality framework with effective internal audits and a Registered Nurse who trains staff and reviews complex health care plans. At the forefront of ConnectAbility’s quality support is the way the business engages with and includes customers and stakeholders with regular forums, consultation and a co-design approach.
David Carey added that “the funding recognises the outstanding work of the team and is a much-needed investment in better outcomes for people with disability across Australia.”
The NDIA’s Quality Supports Program aims to improve service delivery across the SIL sector by identifying best practice models, the workforce skills needed, and the true costs of high-quality care. Insights from the pilot will help shape future NDIS policies, pricing and market settings.
The one-year project, running until 30 June 2026, will focus on real-world evidence and practice improvements. The NDIA will bring chosen providers together later this year for a Community of Practice workshop to look at how providers deliver quality supports and new models of care and practices to strengthen the sustainability and quality of SIL supports. The SIL Pilot is also working with providers to ensure the pilot hears from participants receiving SIL supports.
ConnectAbility is honoured to take part in this national initiative and to play a role in shaping the future of Supported Independent Living services across Australia.
Learn more about the Quality Supports Program: www.ndis.gov.au/community/quality-supports-program and for more information about ConnectAbility, visit Disability Services & Support – ConnectAbility and www.earlylinks.org.au