Client Led Arrangements

Alliance20 brings together some of the largest disability service providers in Australia to strengthen the NDIS and improve support for participants. The DRC and NDIS Review have pushed for major changes, including moving away from group homes and recognising that many people who need 24/7 support will be funded to share support with two others. Until now, most new ideas in Home and Living have centred on people who can live more independently, leaving a gap for those with higher support needs.

To address this, Alliance20 reviewed current research and practice to shape a set of principles for shared living arrangements that are genuinely led by the people who use them. The focus was on people with moderate to profound intellectual disability or complex needs, as they are the groups most often living in traditional group homes.

Client-led supports were defined by Alliance 20 as:

The review found that truly client-led services are those where the person leads decisions, support is co-designed, choices are respected, and participation in life and community is actively encouraged. The final report includes a summary of the literature, an assessment of current approaches within Alliance20 organisations, and a framework to guide future implementation. It also considers practical enablers, operating models, and policy needs. Input from disability representative organisations helped ensure the framework reflects the views and priorities of the people it aims to serve.

The key pillars and principles are provided below.

You can read the full report here.