The Support Model

Central to the AHA model and ethos, providing safe and independent homes to our tenants whilst also ensuring cost-effective care for the NDIA, Onsite Shared Support (OSS) is a support type which is delivered to a group of tenants living independently in their own homes in a clustered SDA setting. 

Accessible Homes Australia (AHA) specialises in this type of SDA home setting, where tenants generally live in their own homes as part of a community, with the OSS services shared amongst the NDIS participants in the precinct.

Aside from the accessible environment and desirable homes, one of the key features of AHA SDA is the codesign of this support model. AHA works closely with the tenant groups at each site to design and tailor their individual and group-based support services according to their specific needs. This collaborative approach ensures that the support provided is aligned with the collective requirements of the tenant community.

The OSS operates out of a dedicated space on-site, where usually at least one staff member is located 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each home within an AHA site has discreet communication systems and safety systems that link back to the OSS dwelling.

The service is designed to be efficient, as tenants are able to call on the OSS staff from their homes, and OSS staff can provide the assistance required before returning to their own space.

Primary and Secondary Supports

OSS is considered a secondary support, which means it does not replace any primary support providers the tenant may already work with for scheduled daily services. The purpose of OSS is to provide a safety net for unexpected or emergency situations, and to cover hours outside of scheduled drop-in supports. The ability to retain relationships with primary care providers, while enjoying the safety and security of 24/7 on call assistance, is the cornerstone of the OSS model.

The OSS team can provide any support within your precinct. For example, they can help with cleaning, personal care, meal preparation, or other assistance around the home. They can assist with getting the mail or letting guests and other service providers into the secure community precinct. 

Usually, supports delivered by the OSS team will take around 15 minutes or less in each instance that they are provided, but there are times where supports may be longer. Regular, schedulable tasks usually sit with the primary care provider, but the OSS team can help with unexpected or ad hoc supports –like a cup of tea before bed when the primary team might have already headed home for the day – or with tasks that are difficult to organise drop in shifts to cover as they are quick or hard to schedule. They can also be a second pair of hands for transfers or other tasks requiring 2 people to complete.