Rouse Hill Lunch & Learn Event Recap: Key Takeaways for NDIS Support Coordinators and Providers

Support Coordinators, NDIS professionals, participants, and their families gathered in Rouse Hill, Sydney, for a rooftop lunch and learning session hosted by Vera Living and Nextt. The event provided expert insights, practical guidance, and real-world experiences to help attendees better understand Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL), including SDA housing options, funding, and the application process.

Held in the stunning rooftop garden of Vera Living’s purpose-built SDA apartments in Rouse Hill, the session combined sector learning, useful discussions, and networking for Support Coordinators and NDIS professionals within the disability sector.

Understanding SDA and SIL

The session opened with an explanation of Specialist Disability Accommodation by SDA expert Greg Barry. Attendees explored how SDA works to support participants, how SIL integrates within SDA homes, and how support coordinators can guide participants through the funding and application process.

For more detailed guidance, read Vera Living's complete Guide to SDA.

SDA and SIL Takeaways for Support Coordinators

The content covered the full SDA journey, including:

SDA Applications and Appeals

Greg Barry, Founder of SDA Services, unpacked what makes a strong SDA application, common challenges, and how to navigate an SDA appeal with confidence. His real-life examples gave attendees a clearer understanding of the documentation and evidence required for successful outcomes for participants.

Understanding MTA and Supported Independent Living

The Nextt team delivered a practical breakdown of Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA) within SDA homes, and how SIL supports operate alongside different housing types.

The Impact of SDA

Jeremy Edwards, Participant Engagement Manager at Vera Living, shared stats and stories on the impact of SDA for NDIS participants and how the right housing can enhance independence, improve quality of life and provide a lifestyle. Jeremy highlighted how timely access to SDA can even reduce demand in hospital admissions and aged care placements among younger people with disabilities.

Q&A Session

Attendees had the chance to ask sector experts questions on eligibility, funding categories, documentation, SIL capacity, and day-to-day support planning.

Rooftop SDA and SIL Event Highlights

After the session, guests enjoyed lunch in the sunshine on the rooftop whilst mingling and getting a guided tour of the SDA apartments and their accessible design features.

The Importance of SDA and SIL Events

The NDIS housing landscape is continually evolving, and this session highlighted the importance of up-to-date knowledge and collaboration across the sector. Attendees walked away with:

Greater clarity on SDA and SIL requirements
Stronger understanding of funding, applications, and appeals
Expert insights from sector professionals
Practical tips that can be applied immediately to support participants

Stay updated on upcoming SDA & SIL events for NDIS Support Coordinators – register here.

Next Steps: Applying SDA Knowledge in Your Practice

Following the event, support coordinators and NDIS professionals can apply their learnings with actionable next steps:
Assess SDA Eligibility: Review participant needs against SDA eligibility criteria and determine the most suitable housing type.
Support Applications: Guide participants in preparing evidence-based SDA applications, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Navigate Funding and Appeals: Use insights from experts to address funding challenges and understand the appeal process for unsuccessful applications.
Integrate SIL Planning: Apply knowledge of Medium-Term Accommodation and SIL supports to ensure participants receive the right level of care in SDA homes.
Share Knowledge with Peers: Use practical tips from the event to support colleagues, participants, and families in navigating SDA and SIL pathways.

These steps can assist support coordinators to utilise skills and knowledge learnt from events to better support their participants housing journey.

Get in touch with our friendly team for any guidance on supporting your clients into SDA.