Real Stories, Real Impact

Clients choose to set up Special Disability Trusts (SDTs) or Service for One entities because they want more for their family member with special needs.

Case Study 1 - Special Disability Trust

The Smith family wanted to ensure their son, David (who has severe autism) had a stable environment and access to specialised care. David requires a structured daily routine, one-on-one support, and a safe living environment tailored to his sensory needs.

The family set up a Special Disability Trust to purchase a home for David in a quiet neighbourhood close to his support network. A SDT is a trust that cater fors the care and accommodation needs of a family member with severe disabilities, now and in the future. The purpose of the trust is the ensure that the individual is protected. To set up the trust, the individual must be classified by either Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Department of Social Services (DSS) as severely disabled. The trust has only one beneficiary.

• The trust allowed David to live independently in a familiar environment while receiving tailored care.

• The family’s clear communication and planning ensured that David’s routine and comfort were prioritised, and the trust’s investments generated enough income to cover ongoing expenses, including home maintenance and care services.

Working alongside the family, we provide bookkeeping and payroll services to help manage the day to day running of the trust. We connected the Smith family with financial advisors, and also ensured that they understood their upcoming obligations. We discussed cash flow, what they could and couldn’t claim through the Special Disability Trust and also helped the family adhere to their Centrelink reporting requirements (tax).

This provided a balanced approach that covered both financial management and personal care needs. Planning for specific accommodation, such as David’s home designed to meet sensory needs, enhanced David’s quality of life. Finally, by involving David in key decisions (where possible) led to better long-term outcomes and increased stability. As David’s parents said “Their expertise in assisting us to set up a Special Disability Trust has given us tremendous peace of mind about our son's future. We now know he'll be properly cared for when we're no longer here."

Case Study 2: Service for One entity

The Davis family had three children, one of whom, Mark, has a severe intellectual disability. The parents were concerned about how to divide their estate fairly among their children while ensuring that Mark’s care needs were fully met. There were also concerns that disputes could arise among the siblings over how the trust should be managed. 

The parents decided to establish a Service for One entity for Mark. A Service for One entity is similar to a SDT in that the entity is built around the individual or individuals it is supporting, however there is no requirement to have the individual assessed by Centrelink or DVA, and you can support more than one person with a disability in the entity.

• A Service for One entity is one where you employ staff directly to support a person with disability using their NDIS funding.

• You can do this as a family, an individual or with other important people in the person's life.

• Often service-for-one entities are set up by families to provide support for people with complex support needs.

The family also appointed a professional board alongside Mark’s family to ensure impartiality. All family members were kept informed throughout the planning process, and the parents openly discussed their decisions to avoid potential conflicts.

The entity is successfully managed without disputes.

• By setting clear expectations and involving all family members from the start, the parents created a sense of unity and understanding.

• The professional board provides financial oversight, while the family contribute personal knowledge of Mark’s needs.

• The result was a well-balanced and harmonious approach to managing Mark’s care.

We continue to support the family with bookkeeping, payroll services, tax and providing reports for the quarterly board meetings. We track the spending in the entity and provide this as part of the quarterly reports. We implemented software where the staff working in the service for one entity could clock on and off, apply for leave, swap shifts and communicate with the family. The family were able to plan ahead for several months and developed comprehensive operating procedures for the service for one business, so that any new staff, understood exactly what was required of them. "The personalised approach to our son's Service for One arrangement has transformed how we manage his support. The financial reporting is clear and the payroll service is flawless."

Through open communication with all family members, misunderstandings and disputes have been avoided. Having a neutral professional board as part of the circle of support for Mark has helped navigate potential conflicts and ensured that decisions are made objectively. Involving siblings in the process created a sense of fairness, and reduced the likelihood of future disagreements. The siblings are now very involved in the care decision making process for their brother and it has brought the family closer.

Case Study 3 - Using a Special Disability Trust (SDT) and Service for One entity

The Langford family, based in South Australia, are long-time carers for their adult son, Daniel, who lives with a significant intellectual disability and requires ongoing, high-level support. As Daniel's parents, Susan and Mark entered retirement, they were determined to ensure that Daniel’s future would be secure, self-directed, and dignified after they were no longer around to provide direct care.

To realise this vision, they engaged Cloudhouse while setting up a SDT for financial sustainability and leveraging a Service for One model to provide tailored daily living and lifestyle support for Daniel.

The Strategy

1. Setting Up the Special Disability Trust

Working with Cloudhouse , we connected the Langfords with a financial advisor and an estate planning lawyer. The Langfords established a SDT to hold and manage assets solely for Daniel’s benefit. This trust allowed for:

• Purchase of a main residence for Daniel in the SDT, which is exempt from Centrelink’s asset test

• Exemption of up to $813,250 (indexed annually) from Centrelink asset tests.

• Ongoing eligibility for the Disability Support Pension and other social security benefits.

• Secure allocation of funds toward Daniel’s accommodation, medical, and allied health services.

2. Implementing a Service for One

Using the Service for One approach inspired by Inclusion Australia, the Langfords customised Daniel’s support plan. This model gave Daniel’s family:

• Choice over his support workers.

• A voice in his daily schedule and lifestyle goals.

• A home and support environment that reflected his vision of a good life, not just what was "available."

Results

• Financial Security: Through the SDT, Daniel’s long-term care is now fully funded and safely managed, preserving his Centrelink entitlements.

• Personal Control: The Service for One model empowered Daniel’s family to direct his supports, fostering autonomy and dignity in his daily life.

• Family Peace of Mind: Susan and Mark have peace of mind knowing Cloudhouse Consulting manages the complexities of tax, payroll, and compliance.

• Board Effectiveness: Monthly and quarterly management reports help Daniel’s support circle make informed decisions, track outcomes, and adapt as needed.

The Langford family’s journey shows how combining a Special Disability Trust with a Service for One approach can empower people with disabilities to live meaningful, self-directed lives. "We were overwhelmed by the complexity of managing our son's care. Their guidance has been invaluable in navigating this journey together." With Cloudhouse as their partner, the Langfords have built a secure, responsive, and future-proof solution for Daniel, one that centres his needs and goals while protecting his entitlements.

We offer a hands on/hands off approach which frees you up to focus on what truly matters, delivering care and support for your loved one.