SIL Referrals That Work: A Provider’s Guide for Support Coordinators
23 May 2025
At Hikma House, we’ve been privileged to work alongside some of the most thoughtful, committed support coordinators in the NDIS space – especially when it comes to referrals for SIL, SDA, Forensic Care and Out of Home Care.
Through this, we’ve seen first-hand what makes a referral process work and what can cause it to fall apart.
The difference often comes down to preparation. Not just ticking off documentation but understanding the person behind the plan, their story, their goals, and what kind of environment will actually set them up for success.
Over the years, we’ve noticed that certain questions tend to lead to clearer referrals and better outcomes. These aren’t hard rules, just thoughtful prompts we’ve picked up through working closely on complex cases.
Table of Contents
1. Is the housing goal clear and truly aligned with the participant’s needs?
We’ve noticed that referrals move more smoothly when there’s a clear link between the participant’s current support needs and their housing goal — and when that’s reflected in their most recent assessments and plan.
We’ve found it helpful when:
- Housing goals in the NDIS plan are up to date and specific.
- There’s a shared understanding of what success looks like — for the participant, not just the system.
- Reports (OT, functional, behavioural) clearly describe the need for a particular type of environment or support model.
2. Are we considering the right housing model, not just the available one?
We understand how tough it can be when vacancies are limited or timelines are tight. But long-term outcomes often hinge on the referral truly matching:
- The participant’s level of support need and funding.
- Their ability to live with others, or preference for individualised living.
- The goals outlined in their behaviour support or allied health plans.
Sometimes we receive a referral where the proposed support ratio doesn’t quite match the participant’s actual needs. In these cases, we’ve worked with support coordinators to reassess and realign the support model — whether that means adjusting the SIL ratio or exploring other options altogether. Getting it right early makes a real difference in long-term stability.
3. Does the provider have the right experience and the right approach?
We always welcome these conversations because they show us that a support coordinator is doing their due diligence on behalf of their participant.
Helpful questions we’re often asked:
- Have you supported participants with similar needs before?
- Can you share examples of positive outcomes with complex participants?
- Do you write comprehensive service notes that reflect real-time challenges and progress?
- Have you trained your team around this participant’s behaviours, triggers, and communication style?
These conversations often build the foundations for better partnerships and clearer expectations.
4. Is the placement culturally and emotionally safe?
We’ve seen participants thrive in environments where they feel understood — culturally, spiritually, emotionally.
Sometimes the fit is less about a provider’s skill set and more about:
- Whether the home environment feels safe, familiar, and respectful.
- Whether staff can meet religious or cultural needs in practice, not just on paper.
- Whether there’s openness to learning and adapting as the participant’s needs change.
These aren’t small things. They’re often the key to long-term placement success.
5. Is everything in place to help the referral progress smoothly?
From our end, we’ve seen referrals stall due to:
- Missing or expired reports
- Unclear risk profiles
- Lack of funding alignment
We’ve found it makes a real difference when all stakeholders come together early including family, therapists, behaviour support practitioners, and the housing provider to map out what’s needed for a sustainable transition.
6. Have we involved the participant meaningfully in the process?
Some of the best referrals we’ve seen are those where the participant was empowered, informed, and included from day one. That often looks like:
- Supporting the person to visit the property or meet the provider in advance.
- Explaining what SIL or SDA actually means in practice — not just in theory.
- Creating space for the person to express their worries, preferences, or even say no.
As a provider, we’re always learning. Every referral teaches us something about the sector, about collaboration, and most importantly, about the people we support.
If you’re a support coordinator working on a complex case, and you’re unsure where to start or what to ask, we hope this list helps in some small way.
And if you’re ever stuck, we’re here to chat. Whether or not we’re the right provider, we’re happy to share what we know.
🤝 Need a second set of eyes on a tricky referral? Get in touch.