When it comes to disability support, more and more families are looking for something beyond the standard programs or “off-the-shelf” services. Many families, like ours, are looking for something more personal, more responsive, and more aligned with our family values and who our loved ones are — their goals, strengths, and way of life. That’s where the idea of a Service for One comes in.
A Service for One is exactly what it sounds like: a completely individualised support arrangement, built around one person. But it’s more than a funding model or an administrative setup — it’s a values-driven approach to designing a good life.
A Different Way of Thinking About Support
Most traditional disability services are designed for groups. Programs are created, rosters are filled, and people are “matched” to what’s already running. Even with good intentions, the focus can shift from individual goals to organisational logistics. This can leave people feeling like passive participants in their own lives.
A Service for One flips that. It starts with the person — not the program, not the roster, not the rules.
Instead of fitting into an existing structure, the structure is built to fit you.
It might include paid supports like support workers, therapy assistants or mentors, but it’s always led by the person (or those closest to them, like their family or a trusted circle). It’s driven by their values, routines, aspirations, and unique way of living.
What Makes It a “Service for One”?
A Service for One usually includes:
- A team of support workers hired specifically to work with one person.
- A customised schedule, based on that person’s life — not a timetable someone else created.
- Direct involvement from the person or their family in designing the support plan, recruiting staff, and overseeing quality.
- Independent structures, such as a microboard, support circle, or a family-led organisation, to provide governance and sustainability.
- A purpose-built budget using the person’s NDIS (or equivalent) funding, directly tied to their goals and support needs.
It can look like:
- A young man with complex needs who lives in his own home, supported by a small team trained specifically to communicate in the way that works for him.
- A teenager who doesn’t fit into traditional day programs, but has a tailored week of support that includes creative projects, social outings, and skill-building on her terms.
- A family who builds a small company to employ support workers, manage funding, and create long-term continuity.
Why Families Choose This Model
Many families are drawn to the Service for One model because it:
- Centres the person — their needs, rights, and preferences.
- Allows flexibility — supports can evolve as the person grows and changes.
- Creates continuity — by building a team around one person, there’s greater potential for long-term, trusting relationships.
- Provides control — families can choose who works with their loved one, how they’re trained, and what outcomes matter most.
- Breaks isolation — through circles of support or collaborative planning, families often build stronger networks.
In short, it’s about agency. It’s about saying: “We don’t have to accept a service that doesn’t work. We can design something that does.”
It’s Not Always Easy
While a Service for One can be deeply rewarding, it also requires commitment and planning.
Families often take on significant roles — recruiting staff, managing rosters, supervising quality, or even becoming employers. Some set up incorporated organisations, others partner with trusted host providers or use plan managers to assist.
There can be challenges with:
- Staffing — finding and keeping the right people.
- Admin — managing timesheets, invoices, insurance and HR.
- Sustainability — making sure the model works over the long term, especially if parents are aging or juggling multiple roles.
That’s why good planning, supportive networks, and strong governance are essential.
The good news? There are resources, mentors and communities of practice that can help. You don’t have to do it alone.
Governance and Safeguarding
One of the most important aspects of a Service for One is making sure it’s safe and sustainable.
Because the service is so personalised, it needs robust safeguards in place. That might mean:
- Creating a microboard — a small group of committed people who know the person well and support decision-making and oversight.
- Establishing a circle of support — a regular gathering of friends, allies, and family who help dream, plan and reflect.
- Ensuring accountability — having clear documentation, transparent financials, and quality checks.
These structures aren’t just paperwork. They provide security, continuity and a broader base of people invested in the person’s life and future.
Is a Service for One Right for You?
Not every family wants or needs a Service for One. But for some, it’s a game changer.
It works best when:
- The person has support needs that aren’t well met by existing services.
- The family or trusted others are willing to be actively involved in planning and oversight.
- There is a desire for greater control, flexibility, and alignment with the person’s values and vision.
You don’t need to do it all at once. Some families start small — with one worker or one custom routine — and build from there.
The Bigger Picture
At its heart, a Service for One isn’t about structure — it’s about freedom. It’s about recognising that people with disability have the same right to live meaningful, self-directed lives as anyone else. It’s about dreaming big, building intentionally, and surrounding our loved ones with the kind of support that lifts them up, rather than holds them back.
If we want inclusion, dignity and joy — sometimes we have to create it ourselves. A Service for One is one powerful way to do just that.
