Permanent Accommodation / Group Homes

Estia cares for eligible individuals permanently in six group-homes located in Gladesville, North Ryde and Blakehurst. Estia has recently expanded its services to provide supported accommodation to people who were on Estia's wait list. These positions have been filled. All facilities are clean and modern with up-to-date equipment. Estia boasts a full-time cook and our clients are served the finest of foods to meet dietary requirements and meal plans.

Eligible adults with intellectual and physical disabilities reside in the group homes on a full-time basis. Permanent accommodation has allowed independence and a sense of stability for these service users. Family members and friends often visit and each resident has the freedom to visit their parental home too.

The Kyle Williams home in Blakehurst is restored and houses four (up to five) individuals in a supportive environment in a tranquil waterfront property overlooking Kyle Bay. Two more brand new group homes meeting disability standards have recently been built on this Blakehurst site and all eight bedrooms are occupied.

Group homes are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The residents living there have a wide range of needs. There is a team of support staff including team leaders, who are responsible for ensuring that each client's individual daily needs are met. Staff assist the residents:

• stay healthy and safe
• develop a person-centred lifestyle plan
• develop and maintain friendships and social relationships
• participate in household routines
• maintain personal care
• plan and be assisted to access recreation programs
• plan for leisure activities and holidays
• participate in community activities
• develop and maintain skills for independent living
• access services that promote health and wellbeing.

Clients have their own interests and are encouraged to maintain these hobbies. The residents are also involved in a number of combined activities such as picnics, road trips, dinners at least once a week, out for lunch, going to the movies and bowling.

Any person with a disability seeking permanent accommodation in a group home environment must have Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding in their NDIS Plan. Support Coordinators can assist participants to obtain NDIS SIL funds by engaging an Occupational Therapist to perform a 'Functional Assessment', which in turn will be used as evidence and presented to the NDIS. Due to the NDIS being an evidence-based scheme, supporting documents need to stipulate a rationale as to why SIL accommodation is a requirement and safest option for the participant. The NDIS will then make a decision as to whether SIL funds will be allocated to the participant based upon the evidence submitted to them.

In any SIL facility, participant compatibility must be assessed carefully by Estia, the participant, families, support coordinators and allied health professionals.