From Custody to Community: Empowering Case Workers with NDIS-Focused Transition Plans
Empowering case workers with NDIS tools to support reintegration after prison.
Imagine being separated from your family for years, not by choice, but by circumstances beyond your control. This was Roland’s reality. Her journey is one of unimaginable challenges but also of hope, resilience, and a heartwarming reunion.
A few years ago, Roland was living a happy, fulfilling life in the suburbs with her husband and young son. Her world was full of love, routine, and joy. But in an instant, everything changed. Without warning, Roland suffered a catastrophic brain aneurysm rupture.
Her survival was nothing short of miraculous, but she was left with severe physical limitations. She could blink, smile, and swallow—but little else. Suddenly, the life she knew was gone.
After emergency treatment and recovery, Roland’s high dependency qualified her for support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). She was placed in a group home where she received the care she needed. But this came at a significant emotional cost.
Group home life was isolating. Visits from her family were limited to weekends due to their work and school commitments. The restrictive environment offered little opportunity for connection or joy. Roland’s housemates were not well-matched in personality or needs, leading to conflicts and a sense of unease. Over time, her sadness deepened, and the isolation became unbearable.
Roland’s distress did not go unnoticed. Her circumstances came to the attention of United For Care (UFC), a registered NDIS service provider. Through United Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of UFC, her life began to transform.
United Foundation champions an innovative care model known as the vertical village. Unlike traditional group homes, vertical villages provide self-contained apartments for each NDIS participant, offering privacy, dignity, and independence. The care is still comprehensive and 24/7, but participants enjoy their own space—their own television, bathroom, and front door.
The result? Participants feel safe, secure, and supported, while families are welcome to visit freely—and even stay overnight.
Roland’s transition to a UFC vertical village was life-changing. She moved into a two-bedroom apartment, and for the first time in years, her family could celebrate Christmas together under one roof. Her husband and son relocated to the same complex, and the family finally felt whole again.
This new arrangement offered the perfect balance: Roland’s family could attend to her day-to-day needs, while professional caregivers ensured she had round-the-clock support. The safety, independence, and connection she longed for were finally within reach.
And for the first time in years, Roland began to smile again.
United Foundation is the not-for-profit arm of United For Care, dedicated to providing relief, support, and assistance to individuals facing illness, disability, or hardship. Through innovative care solutions like vertical villages, the foundation helps people like Roland regain independence, dignity, and connection.
Roland’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets innovation. This holiday season, you can make a difference. By supporting United Foundation, you help create life-changing opportunities for others like Roland.
Your donation—no matter the size—can bring hope, healing, and joy to families in need.
Donate now and join us in transforming lives. Together, we can make stories like Roland’s a reality for even more families.
Real people, real stories.
Get to know the people we help and how your donations change lives.