The SILosophy’s Podcast

SILosophy Episode 7 - SIL Expansion

In this insightful episode of SILosophy, Tania Gomez sits down with Laura Cowell, CEO of Australian Operations for Tender Loving Care, to discuss strategic growth in the SIL (Supported Independent Living) space. From determining when it’s the right time to expand, to balancing participant needs with business sustainability, Laura shares her wealth of experience managing one of Australia’s largest for-purpose NDIS providers. Learn how to design participant-driven SIL homes, tackle common challenges, and maintain a culture of quality while scaling your operations.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction: Meet Laura Cowell and her inspiring journey
02:10 – The right time to grow: Indicators that it’s time to expand your SIL operations
05:40 – Participant-led growth: The importance of designing homes based on individual needs
08:30 – Flatmate matching: Building harmonious living environments and fostering participant satisfaction
12:45 – Common pitfalls: Avoiding mistakes in growth strategies
16:00 – Balancing quality and quantity: Ensuring consistent care and service standards while expanding
20:15 – Treating each home as a business unit: Financial modelling and sustainability in SIL homes
24:30 – Risk management: How to assess and mitigate risks before expansion
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/

SILosophy Episode 6 - Service Agreements that Work

In this episode of SILosophy, host Tania Gomez is joined by Josh Pix, co-founder of Resolv, to unpack the complexities of service agreements in the SIL space. Josh provides actionable insights into avoiding common pitfalls, managing open agreements, handling emergencies, and ensuring financial sustainability while delivering exceptional participant care. This is an essential listen for SIL providers looking to strengthen their service agreements and protect their businesses.
 
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Josh Pix from Resolv
01:20 – What Resolv does: Supporting SIL providers with rostering, claiming, and financial stability
03:00 – The risks of poor service agreements: Why they matter
04:45 – Understanding open service agreements and how they expose providers to financial risks
08:10 – What is over-servicing? Defining and identifying intentional and unintentional over-servicing
10:50 – The six-step process for managing over-servicing and ensuring shared responsibility
14:30 – Emergency situations: Hospitalisation, incarceration, and how to navigate funding gaps
16:40 – Programmes of support: What they are and why SIL providers need them
19:00 – Building robust service agreements: Essential clauses and considerations for providers
21:00 – Final advice for SIL providers: Addressing risks, promoting shared responsibility, and ensuring participant care
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/

SILosophy Episode 5 - Building a Brand as a SIL Provider

In this episode of SILosophy, host Tania Gomez sits down with Tommy Trout, founder of Disbranded and co-creator of SILosophy, to explore the critical role of branding in the NDIS sector. Tommy explains why branding is not just for big companies and how SIL providers can use storytelling, authenticity, and strategic design to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Whether you're just starting your SIL journey or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stand out.
 
Episode Highlights with Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Tommy Trout, founder of Disbranded and branding expert
01:50 – Why the disability sector needs a branding revolution
05:30 – SIL branding: Why 9 out of 10 SIL providers look identical and how to stand out
09:45 – Defining brand: More than just a logo or colour palette
13:00 – The power of the “why”: Building trust through purpose-driven branding
17:25 – Storytelling as a key branding strategy: Tommy’s personal experiences
21:10 – The challenges of branding for SIL providers: Vulnerability and authenticity
25:45 – Practical tips for crafting a compelling brand identity
30:00 – Branding for inclusivity: Designing with participants’ needs in mind
33:15 – Tommy’s #1 tip for SIL providers to strengthen their brand
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/

SILosophy Episode 4 - Healthy SIL Homes

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania sits down with Scott Chapman, the visionary founder of Able Digital Wellness. They discuss how creating healthier Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes can lead to better outcomes for participants, support workers, and providers.
 
Scott shares the journey of founding Able Digital Wellness to improve the lives of his nephew and others in SIL, highlighting the importance of tailored exercise, nutrition, and wellness programs. The conversation dives into the role of transparent accountability, practical strategies for healthier living, and how providers can differentiate themselves by embracing wellness-focused approaches.
 
Episode Highlights:
 
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Scott Chapman and the story behind Able Digital Wellness
02:15 – The inspiration to improve SIL homes through health and wellness
07:00 – The challenges of supporting participants in making healthier choices
10:20 – How Able Digital Wellness personalises wellness plans to individual needs
13:30 – Benefits for SIL providers: Reduced staff turnover and improved participant retention
18:45 – Transparent accountability: How detailed reporting builds trust with families
22:10 – Addressing gaps in support worker skills through customised training content
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/

SILosophy Episode 3 - Building SIL homes

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania sits down with Minh and Debbie from NDIS Property Australia to explore the evolving landscape of housing within the NDIS. They discuss the stark reality of the housing shortfall for participants who are not eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), the rise of innovative solutions like manor homes and apartments, and how providers can strategically address these gaps.
 
Whether you're a seasoned provider or new to the sector, this episode is packed with actionable insights into navigating SIL housing, working with investors, and future-proofing your business amidst ongoing NDIS changes.
 
Episode Highlights with Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Minh and Debbie from NDIS Property Australia
02:20 – Understanding the difference between SDA and SIL housing
05:45 – The housing crisis: 96% of participants are not eligible for SDA
10:30 – Addressing the housing gap: Slightly modified co-living SIL homes
13:40 – The transition from legacy stock and group homes to SIL and SDA
19:15 – Challenges in finding the right housing: Location, demand, and participant preferences
25:50 – Exploring innovative housing models: Manor homes, apartments, and villas
32:00 – Advice for new SIL providers: The importance of collaboration, market knowledge, and continuous learning
36:45 – About NDIS Property Australia’s podcast and upcoming SIL Summit session
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/

SILosophy Episode 2 - The Real Cost of SIL

In this episode of SILosophy, Tania sits down with Josh Picks from Resolv to discuss the pressing issues around rostering, claiming, and funding in the Supported Independent Living (SIL) space. With extensive experience working alongside SIL providers, Josh shares valuable insights into the systemic challenges and practical steps to reduce financial losses and improve participant outcomes.
 
Josh and Tania dive deep into how SIL providers can reclaim lost revenue by aligning funding, rostering, and claiming processes, and they explore how these improvements can directly translate into better care and support for participants.
 
Whether you’re a seasoned SIL provider or new to the space, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you identify and address hidden losses within your organisation.
 
Episode highlisghts:
00:00 – Welcome to SILosophy and introducing Josh Picks from Resolv
02:15 – The origins of Resolv and its focus on SIL operations
04:30 – Why the SIL model is broken: Complexity and underfunding
07:45 – The financial impact of rostering and claiming inefficiencies
10:30 – Breaking down the $25,000 per participant per year loss
14:00 – The importance of aligning funding, rostering, and claiming
16:30 – Steps providers can take to address rostering and claiming issues
18:45 – How Resolv supports providers with free health checks
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/

SILosophy Episode 1 - Introduction to SIL

Welcome to the very first episode of SILosophy! Tania is joined by special guest Josh Grapes, founder of EQwell, to dive into the world of Supported Independent Living (SIL). This insightful conversation explores the foundations of SIL, the challenges and rewards of running a SIL business, and the importance of tailoring support to meet participant needs.
 
Josh shares his journey into the industry, offers advice for new SIL providers, and discusses the critical role of participant matching, risk management, and creating empowering environments. Whether you’re new to SIL or a seasoned provider, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you succeed.
 
Episode highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to SILosophy and introducing Josh Grapes from EQwell
01:30 – What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
03:15 – SIL house setups: Ratios and participant needs
05:30 – Referral pathways: Finding participants and setting up homes
08:50 – The risks and challenges of running a SIL business
11:40 – Managing staff burnout and participant safety
15:20 – The importance of creating tailored environments for participants
18:00 – Advice for new SIL providers: Knowing your “why” and reducing risks
22:10 – Participant matching and building effective care teams
25:50 – Josh’s passion for creating empowering environments
30:00 – How to get in touch with Josh and EQWELL
 
Follow Tania Gomez Consulting on
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taniagomezconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taniagomezconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tania-gomez-consulting
 
Or you can also visit our website: http://www.taniagomez.com.au/