Physio in SIL and group homes: how it works

The resident chooses the physio

Living in SIL does not mean the SIL provider chooses your other providers. Under the NDIA's guidance, participants have the right to "choose who delivers your supports and how they do this", and to ask if a provider has a conflict of interest [3].

The NDIA also says participants "have the right to choose how they receive supports and who delivers them", and suggests it can be "a good idea for participants to choose different providers to deliver some of their services", because this "may make it easier to raise any concerns" [5].

In practice:

• The resident, with their family, nominee or decision supporter, decides whether to have physio and who provides it.
• Each resident gives their own consent and has their own agreement with the physio.
• A SIL provider or house supervisor can suggest options, but shouldn't make the choice for a resident.

A support coordinator can help residents find providers [1].

Working with support workers

Physio at home works best when the people who are there every day are involved, with the resident's agreement. A physio can:

• show support workers how to help with the resident's exercises or walking practice
• explain safe ways to help with transfers (for example, bed to chair) as part of the resident's program
• give a written or recorded home program that staff on different shifts can follow
• check how the resident moves around their own room, bathroom and shared spaces.

Support workers then help carry the program through between visits, as part of the resident's daily routine. The physio reviews and adjusts it at follow-up visits. Clear handover notes matter in a house with rostered staff.

Can travel be shared between residents?

Yes, but only if each resident agrees in advance. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements say that if a provider travels to several participants on the same trip, "the travel time (including return travel where applicable) can be divided among the participants. This division should be agreed upon with each participant in advance as part of their Service Agreement" [4]. The same applies to non-labour travel costs, "with the agreement of each participant in advance" [4].

There are no group-billing shortcuts. Each resident is billed only for their own session and their agreed share of travel, from their own plan.

Questions to ask a physio

• Do you see residents in SIL or group homes?
• How will you work with our support workers and share the home program?
• If you see more than one resident on a visit, how is travel divided, and will that be in each resident's agreement?
• How do you invoice, and are your charges in line with NDIS pricing limits?

About Thrive United Physio: we provide home-visit physiotherapy for adults with NDIS plans in Melbourne's south-east, inner south and west, and right across Melbourne, and we're currently taking new referrals. We are not a registered NDIS provider (registration is in progress), so we can only see self-managed and plan-managed participants. Visits are delivered by an Ahpra-registered physiotherapist.

To ask about a referral, use the form at thriveunitedphysio.com.au or call 0426 207 796. We reply within 48 hours.

This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Check with your plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA about your situation.