The Access4u chief executive officer and former Minda Incorporated chief said filling empty rooms in traditional group houses without researching whether placements are a good fit for clients should be phased out across the state.

Miller said the model should be “turned on its head” so that an individual’s needs are first assessed before the search for a home is undertaken.

Earlier this year, a national report showed Australians living in disability group homes have been involved in more than 7000 reportable incidents in the past four years.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission released its finding into the nation’s seven largest accommodation providers and found more than 1700 of those incidents involved a serious injury to a participant.

Miller blamed some of the problems on traditional approaches where providers either had built or were building homes where they advertised when a room was vacant.

This approach is not taking into account the mix of residents in the home and if they are compatible, she said, or if workers supporting the home had the right skill sets for individual requirements.

“The rise in incidents is a timely and confronting reminder that a new, innovative approach is what is needed,” Miller said.

“We understand that there are certain restraints around funding, but we need to think outside the box and move beyond simply filling housing vacancies without going through a tailored process that puts the person at the forefront.”

She called on the South Australian industry to collaborate and make change.

“We all deserve choices, and where we choose to live is one of the most crucial in shaping our lives,” Miller said.

“Some individuals want to live with friends, some want to live alone, some want to live closer to work or be near their families — the person at the centre should really guide the process.”

She said a young client connected with her organisation recently moved out of his family home and it was recognised that he is a “brilliant artist”.

“His house has a dedicated art studio, so he can focus on his passions,” she said.

“He lives with two housemates whom he gets along well with. They play sport together and come together a couple times a week for a shared dinner. He’s one of many success stories.”

She said the industry must collaborate and lead with the individual as housing solutions are not ‘one-size-fits-all’, “that approach is detrimental to the individual and indeed the future of independent living”.