Building Daily Living Skills: A 12-Week SIL Skill Map

Usually, Growing independence doesn’t happen by accident; the right support at the right time, clear goals, and it comes from consistent practice, . Moreover,In Supported Independent Living (SIL), that means building everyday habits around home routines, social connection, travel, money, meds, and meals, after that tracking progress in a way the NDIS understands. Consequently, This practical guide lays out a 12-week SIL skill map you can adapt to your needs. Also We’ll use plain Australian English, keep the steps realistic, and show you how to collect evidence without drowning in paperwork.

What is a SIL Skill Map?

A SIL skill map is a week-by-week plan that links your person-centred goals to concrete actions at home and in the community. It sets out who helps with what, how much help you need, and how we measure change in functional capacity. Importantly, it turns broad aims like “live more independently” into daily steps you can practise and master.

How it works

Task analysis: apparently, break a skill into small, teachable steps (e.g., making oats becomes clean-up,set up, measure, cook,).
Prompting hierarchy: start with the least help that keeps you safe ,partial physical, gestural, verbal, visual,, then full physical if needed and fade prompts over time.
routines & Reinforcement : you can furthermore,pair effort with positive feedback, and practise at the same time each day.
Evidence: outcomes in simple progress notes, risks, time on task, and log prompts used.

Since, the NDIS funds support that are necessary and reasonable, strong data helps your plan reflect your real-world needs. Get details on NDIS SIL House Vacancies in Newcastle.

The 12-Week Plan (adaptable to your goals)

Apparently, everyone starts from a different place. Because of which , treat this as a template you can tailor with your house team,clinicians, and support coordinator,.

Weeks 1–2: Set-Up, Baseline & Safety

Focus: rapport, routines, and risk controls.

Additionally, Map two person-centred goals (e.g., take medication on time and “prepare one simple meal” ).
Complete quick task analyses for target skills; write them on a tablet note or fridge card .
Establish the prompting hierarchy the team will use; agree when to step up or step down prompts.
Create simple visual schedules (photos or icons).
Complete quick risk management checks: food safety, kettle/microwave use, knives, bath water temp, street crossings.
Collect baseline: where anxiety or fatigue appears,how long they take, and which steps you can do alone.

Weeks 3–4:

Evening & Morning Routines

Focus: reliable starts and finishes to each day.

Practise a morning sequence: toilet, shower or wash, dress, breakfast, bin tidy, teeth, and meds check.
Build a night routine: device off, set clothes out, self-care, meds check, lights down.
You can Use visual prompts first; also layer in verbal cues if you need them.
Track independence step-by-step (e.g., 7/10 steps completed with verbal prompts only).

Weeks 5–6: Kitchen Confidence & Mealtime Skills

Focus: safe and clean-up,food handling, simple meals,.

Start with a five-ingredient lunch or breakfast .
Teach microwave steps or safe kettle ; add stovetop if the risk plan allows.
Practise clean-as-you-go, bin routines and dishwashing.
You can use timers for cooking and also a one-page photo recipe.
Record the least intrusive prompt required at each step; aim to fade one prompt per week.

Weeks 7–8: Household Tasks & Room Reset

Focus: shared space etiquette,laundry, and tidy room,.

Create a 15-minute reset: empty small bin,quick wipe,put clothes away,make bed,
Teach laundry in chunks:store sort,hang or dryer, fold,.cycle select, detergent measure,load,
Add a weekly bathroom check with wipes and gloves.
Practise opening windows and using fans for airflow and mould prevention.

Weeks 9–10: Travel Training & Community Access

Focus: transport choices, money handling, and community confidence.

Plan two regular trips (e.g., GP and supermarket).
Practise route finding, Opal top-ups or card taps, and safe street crossing.
Role-play asking for help from staff.
Combine a trip with a low-stress purchase; track cash handling and change checking.
You can Review sensory triggers and coping strategies (short breaks,quiet hours,earphones,,).

Week 11:

Medication & Money Prompts

Focus: safe meds routines and budget basics .

Build a mini budget: fun,top-ups,food,fixed costs,income.
Use envelopes or a phone app for categories; practise receipts and wallet organisation.
For medication prompts, use a blister pack plus a phone or smart speaker reminder.
Practise reading label times, checking the day/compartment, and signing a simple meds checklist.

Week 12:

Celebration,Consolidation, & Next Steps

Focus: generalise skills and plan the next quarter.

Re-test baseline tasks; compare against Week 1.
Update your SIL skill map with what works (and what doesn’t).
Write two new goals or stretch the current ones (e.g., “cook for a housemate once a fortnight”).
Choose a celebration—pizza night, movie outing, or a picnic—because wins deserve notice.

How we track progress (without drowning in paperwork)

You don’t need a novel—just consistent, useful data:

Prompt level used: visual, verbal, gestural, partial physical, or full physical.
Independence rating: I (independent), S (supervised), A (assisted).
Time on task: did it speed up?
Notes on risk: any near misses or safe choices.
What helped: music, quiet environment, step card, or timer.

A four-line progress note after practice is enough. Over 12 weeks, those notes become robust evidence for your next NDIS review. Get details on NDIS SIL House Vacancies in Cessnock.

Positive Behaviour Support inside skills training

Some days wobble. That’s normal. We reduce distress and build skills with:

Predictable routines and visual supports.
Choice: pick between two recipes, two travel times, or two cleaning tools.
Low-arousal coaching: breaks when needed,short phrases, and calm voice, .
Celebrating effort, not just results.

Family, Housemates & Culture

Independence grows faster when everyone rows the same way. Therefore:

Invite family or trusted friends to learn the same prompts and cues.
Respect cultural food practices, prayer times, or communication styles.
Keep house rules simple: “my turn/your turn” routines,fridge labelling, and shared chores chart,.

Risk Management (practical, not scary)

We keep you safe and growing:

Kitchen: timers, pot handles turned in, gloves for oven work.
Bathroom: water temp checks, non-slip mat.
Community: contact card, emergency plan, check-in times.
Meds: staff double-check for high-risk schedules as per policy.

Risk plans sit in the background while you practise—visible when needed, quiet when not. Looking for a NDIS SIL Vacancies in Hunter?

What Advanced Integrity Care (NSW) does differently

Co-design: we build your SIL skill map with you, not for you.
Consistency: every worker follows the same prompts and language.
Clarity: we tie tasks to functional capacity and goals the NDIS recognises.
Evidence: short, reliable progress notes that speak clearly at plan review.
Kindness: we celebrate small wins because momentum matters.

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» How Does Supported Independent Living (SIL) Work?

Quick Tools You Can Use Today

One-page task analysis cards (laminated or on your phone).
Prompt ladder stuck on the fridge.
Three timers: phone, microwave, and a cheap visual timer.
Shared calendar for meds, shopping day, and room reset time.

Final Word

Independence grows one ordinary task at a time. With a clear SIL skill map, steady practice, and supportive coaching, you’ll turn daily jobs into lived confidence. Moreover, you’ll collect the kind of evidence that helps the NDIS understand your needs and back your progress. If you’d like a hand, Advanced Integrity Care (NSW) can co-design your 12-week plan, align it with your roster, and keep the paperwork simple—so the focus stays on you and your goals.

FAQs — Building Daily Living Skills: A 12-Week SIL Skill Map

1) How many goals should I work on at once?

Two or three is plenty. Besides this, you’ll progress faster, when you celebrate small wins,practise most days, and when you focus,. After that , you can add a new goal in Week 12.

2) What if I need physical prompts—does that mean I failed?

Not at all. The prompting hierarchy exists to keep you safe while you learn. We start where you are and then fade prompts as confidence grows.

3) How do we show the NDIS that skills improved?

Keep simple progress notes with prompts used, independence ratings, and time on task. Match those notes to your person-centred goals.Consequently, Over 12 weeks, you’ll have strong evidence of functional capacity gains.

4) Is it possible to include social or travel goals in SIL?

Yes—normally if they link to living more independently and fit within your SIL roster. Moreover,community access for grocery planning,and Travel training to the GP or shopping centre are great inclusions.

5) What if my anxiety spikes during training?

Apparently, Use positive behaviour support: visual cues,calming breaks,choices, and predictable routines, . In addition,We can also shift the plan—a different order of steps,quieter times, or shorter sessions, —so you keep momentum without overload.