About this resource
Who you live with matters. This reflection helps participants think about their routines, noise, interests, privacy, visitors, shared spaces and support, and what they would want from housemates, so choices about shared living are informed and respected.
Purpose
To help participants think about what they need from housemates and make informed choices.
Who it is for
Primary profession: NDIS providers and support coordinators. Also relevant for disability support workers, positive behaviour support practitioners.
Client or participant group: Participants considering shared living, and the people supporting their decisions.
Practice setting: Support coordination and home and living planning.
Suggested uses
- Home and living planning
- Before meeting possible housemates
- Reviewing current shared living
- Supporting choice
Instructions for practitioners
- Support the participant to express their own preferences.
- Respect the right to decline living with someone.
- Arrange meetings and trial visits where possible.
- Revisit if problems arise in shared living.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Think about how you like to live.
- Tick what matters.
- Share with your supporter.
Accessibility considerations
Use symbols and photos. Offer verbal completion.
Scope and limitations
A reflection tool. It does not determine housing allocation or funding.
Research basis
Person-centred planning shows positive but limited evidence of improving community participation and everyday choice for people with intellectual disability. Human rights frameworks and research on the dignity of risk support people's right to make their own choices, including choices that involve some risk.
- Ibrahim, J. E., & Davis, M. (2013). Impediments to applying the ‘dignity of risk’ principle in residential aged care services. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 32(3), 188–193. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.12014
- Ratti, V., Hassiotis, A., Crabtree, J., Deb, S., Gallagher, P., & Unwin, G. (2016). The effectiveness of person-centred planning for people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 57, 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2016.06.015
- United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-persons-disabilities
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
