The situation
“Daniel”*, in his 50s, lives with a psychosocial disability. He was referred to Aus Care Community Services after losing his temporary accommodation because he couldn’t keep up with its requirements. After that, he lost contact with every service and dropped out of the system.
When we found him, he was living in a family member’s garage. It had no running water, no toilet and no bed. He was sleeping on a couch and dealing with a painful, untreated medical flare-up.
What we did
- Found and re-engaged Daniel. We located him and, with his consent, reconnected him with support.
- Coordinated urgent medical care. His condition needed immediate attention, so we arranged ambulance transport and he was admitted to hospital.
- Connected him with the right agencies. While Daniel was stabilising in hospital, we linked him with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and supported him through their process. DCJ offered Daniel social housing within two weeks.
- Put his NDIS supports in place. We coordinated his NDIS supports so they were ready when he moved in.
The outcome
- Daniel now lives in stable social housing provided by DCJ.
- NDIS support workers visit him daily.
- Local charities provided a bed, a fridge and essential furniture.
- He is now connected with an occupational therapist and a psychologist for ongoing support.
Why it matters for referrers
When a participant has disengaged from services, someone needs to actively go and find them. Our Care Navigators coordinate the NDIS supports and connect participants with the health and housing services that sit outside the NDIS. That way, a hospital admission can become a turning point rather than another gap.
Know someone who has fallen through the gaps?
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Please note: Aus Care Community Services doesn’t provide or allocate housing. Social housing is provided by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and community housing providers, who decide eligibility and timeframes. Where it’s funded in a participant’s NDIS plan, we can provide supports related to housing, such as helping participants understand their home and living options, prepare housing applications, and connect with housing services. Rent, bond and everyday living costs aren’t funded by the NDIS. NDIS access and plan funding are decided by the NDIA. Outcomes vary for each person.
