Accommodation

Shared Supported Accommodation (SSA)

St John of God Accord operates more than 25 homes across Melbourne. We have decades of experience in providing shared supported accommodation for people with an intellectual disability.

Homes are created and maintained around the needs of each resident because they see their accommodation as a home filled with their possessions.

24 hour support, 7 days a week

We offer 24-hour support, so there are always professionally qualified staff onsite to work through any issues that might arise. Our accommodation teams work together to assist residents as efficiently as possible. Teams are designed around subsidiarity, meaning they are accountable to the residents in the way in which the homes are organised and managed. We strongly believe in this model. St John of God Accord is moving forward and helping residents take charge of their lives and engage with their local communities.

St John of God Accord supports all staff with an in-house Accord Assist service to ensure all SSA staff are connected to a qualified staff representative equipped to resolve, support or advise in the event of an emergency outside of normal business hours. This service ensures the safety of both staff and residents at all times.

Stepping stone to a home

Some of our homes are designed to include self-contained areas that people can use as ‘stepping stones’ on the way to getting their own place. Staff are working to support and help residents as they prepare to move out and adjust to independent living.

The importance of Key Workers

Each resident has a Direct Support Professional or Key Worker who takes a special interest in their wellbeing and in supporting them in what they want to achieve while living at the home. This could include taking a college course at the local TAFE or University, improving daily-living skills, working toward managing their own medication, or working to improve their self-confidence. The members of each team work with residents to achieve these goals.

Living together harmoniously

Each home has developed its own character, reflecting the needs of the resident group and the local community. Most have residents of different ages (usually between 18 and 65). Although people are encouraged to get involved in day-to-day decisions about running the home, the focus is on looking outwards to the local community and opportunities for recreation, occupation, learning and social contact.

Some homes have a respite bed for people in short-term need or crisis. Others have become high-support residential services serving people with particularly complex needs. Above all, our homes are considered real homes to the people who live in them. In many cases a strong lasting bond has developed between residents and Support Workers, with some delivering enduring friendships of over 10 years.

Where are our homes located?

Our group of accommodation services are located in the eastern and north west regions of metropolitan Melbourne. Support is provided to over 120 people in homes accommodating between four and five residents. We hope to assist each resident to become as independent as possible. Our accommodation services work in conjunction with specialist and generic services within the community to provide a range of support options to meet each resident’s needs. Support includes household management, general self-care, personal care and remaining active in the local community. The overall aim of which is to enhance the quality of life for residents and align this with their personal ambitions.

How to access our accommodation service

Access to shared accommodation is coordinated by the Department of Human Services (DHS). As a vacancy occurs, St John of God Accord, in conjunction with DHS, uses the Vacancy Coordination Policy and Practice Guidelines to match the most suitable applicant to the vacancy.

All houses have personal bedrooms and are furnished according to individual preferences. Within 60 days of entering the service, an individual plan is developed in consultation with the resident and others that are significant in their lives. This plan outlines the goals they may have and how those goals can be achieved. Fees are levied in accordance with living expenses. Rental assistance is available to people eligible for the disability support pension.

Useful links

Contact us

For further information, please telephone (03) 8804 4600 or email our Administrative Officer (Christine Reilly) who coordinates our accommodation administration services from the Ringwood Coporate Services office Christine.Reilly@sjog.org.au.