Informal supports, such as assistance from family members or friends, often come at little to no financial cost compared to professional services. By leveraging these existing relationships and networks, you can reduce the need for expensive professional support, thus lowering overall costs associated with the STA model.

Informal supports not only reduces costs but also enhances the overall efficiency and sustainability of your STA model. By tapping into existing relationships and networks within participants’ communities, you can maximize the impact of your funding while still providing high-quality support and care.

If choosing to engage formal support, STA Haven encourage participants to negotiate rates with their support services, then providing a quote to be included in their STA package agreement . This approach can bring clarity and transparency to the support process, ensuring that both parties understand the financial expectations involved. It also allows participants to have a say in determining the cost of the support they receive, which can foster a sense of empowerment and ownership over their support arrangements. Formal support refers to professional services provided by trained staff or organisations. This might include support workers, medical professionals, therapists, or other professionals who offer specialised assistance. Integrating formal support into your STA model ensures that participants have access to the expertise and assistance they require to meet their specific needs. This can include assistance with personal care, medication management, therapy sessions, and any other professional services needed to support the participants’ well-being.