What is Short Term Accommodation (STA)?
What is Short Term Accommodation?
Short Term Accommodation (STA), including respite, is a type of support that allows you to live away from home for a short period. This support covers all expenses in a 24-hour period, including help with self-care or community access activities, accommodation, food, and any agreed-upon activities.
STA funding can be used for respite to support you and your carers, giving them a short break from their caregiving duties. A short stay away from home can:
Give you the chance to try new things
Provide a place to make new friends or develop new skills
Help maintain your current living situation by giving your informal supports a break
STA might be suitable if your usual support network isn’t available for a short time.
Purpose and Benefits:
Respite for Carers: STA offers carers a temporary rest from their caregiving duties, helping them avoid burnout and maintain their well-being.
Emergency Situations: It acts as a backup plan for unexpected situations that disrupt regular caregiving arrangements.
Trial and Skill-building Opportunities: Participants can use STA to try new living arrangements or support services before making long-term decisions. It’s also a chance to develop independence and social skills in a supportive environment.
Funding Considerations:
Plan Flexibility: If you have funding in your Core budget, you can typically use it for STA, depending on your plan's flexibility and goals.
Duration and Frequency: While generally limited to 14 days per instance, participants can access STA multiple times throughout the year, up to 28 days, as long as it aligns with their plan goals and budget.
Accessing STA:
Plan Review: During planning meetings, discuss the need for STA with your planner or coordinator. It’s important to explain how this support can help you achieve your goals.
Provider Choice: Participants can choose providers that are either registered with the NDIS or not, depending on whether they are Agency-managed or plan-managed.
Booking and Confirmation: Once identified, bookings can be made directly with the provider, ensuring the services align with what is outlined in the participant’s NDIS plan.
Documentation and Monitoring: Keeping track of usage and ensuring STA is used effectively to achieve set goals is crucial. Regular check-ins during usage can help adjust future planning as needed.
Summary:
Short Term Accommodation, including respite, supports NDIS participants in managing their care needs flexibly and helps carers maintain their health and morale. As a support coordinator, facilitating access to these resources while ensuring they align with the participant’s goals is key to maximising the benefits of STA within the NDIS framework.
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