Supported accommodation services provide daily living support for people who may need assistance with communication, routines, decision‑making or personal care. Changes in staff, environment or routine can sometimes cause confusion, distress or anxiety. TOP5 helps carers and support workers share practical strategies that help the person feel safe, calm and comfortable.
These insights support care that is safe, respectful and reflects the person’s needs and preferences.
Why TOP5 is helpful in supported accommodation
TOP5 helps support workers:
- understand how best to communicate with the person
- recognise triggers that may cause distress
- respond consistently across different shifts or staff
- support smoother transitions between home, respite and community activities
- provide care that aligns with what matters to the person
TOP5 is especially helpful for people who:
- rely on routine or structure
- have communication difficulties
- experience sensory sensitivities
- become unsettled in unfamiliar environments
- need support to understand or process information
What to include in a supported accommodation TOP5
A TOP5 list may include:
- communication cues (preferred words, gestures, pacing)
- routines that help the person feel settled
- sensory preferences (noise, lighting, touch, temperature)
- strategies that reduce distress or prevent escalation
- mobility or safety considerations
- comfort measures or calming activities
- supports that help with decision‑making or understanding
Examples:
- “I prefer clear, step‑by‑step instructions.”
- “I become anxious if rushed.”
- “I settle best when given choices rather than directions.”
- “I respond well when staff explain changes to routine in advance.”
- “I feel calm when listening to familiar music.”
How TOP5 supports care in supported accommodation
TOP5 can be used:
- during daily routines
- at handover between shifts
- when introducing new activities or environments
- when behaviours change or the person becomes unsettled
- to support transitions to hospital, respite or community programs
Sharing TOP5 across all staff helps everyone respond in a consistent and supportive way.
Working together
Carers and support workers create TOP5 together. Carers share what works well at home or in familiar environments, and staff add observations from the supported accommodation setting. This shared approach helps the person feel understood and supported wherever they receive care.
TOP5 can be updated at any time if the person’s needs or preferences change.