When and Why to Consider Changing Your STA Provider

The aim is to help the participants participate in community activities while building their skills simultaneously.

STA is short for Short-Term Accommodation, which is a service under the National Disability Insurance Scheme mandated to assist you in identifying the specific help you need to succeed in your plans and dreams in the different areas of your life. This is a temporary care service offered by an individual or agency that is, not a family member to a person with disability. Apart from offering specialized care to the participant, STA also provides caregivers with the breaks they need from caring. This fosters a great working relationship between the caregiver and the participant by preventing the breaking down of the caring arrangements. Among other things, the scheme aims to minimize the impact of disability by providing early interventions. STA does not just involve accommodation but also includes activities that you consent to meals, and individual care. The aim is to help the participant participate in community activities while building their skills.

Not for Holiday

It is good to note that STA is not a holiday service therefore the help and resources provided by the National Disability Insurance Agency should and must not be used for any recreational activities. STA is only involved when one needs a temporary stay away from home because the caregiver is often unavailable, the need to socialise, or even a change of environment and time to try new activities. This may also include people or families suffering from the impact of natural disasters or unforeseen circumstances like, sudden health issues, accidents etcetera. An STA period can range from 14 days to 28 days or overnight agency-based support. It can also be a weekend away at a camp; the focus is meeting your needs and interests.

Why is it Important Anyway?

The two types of short term accommodation services are group-based or home additional support. Sometimes, a hotel booking may also be involved. It is important to remember that this is not just about the accommodation arrangements but also importantly about the support and service you receive while at the accommodation. The main reasons for using STA are as follows; One of the many reasons for using STA services is;

• To experience life as the caregiver gets time off to also rejuvenate themselves.
• Ensuring the functional capacity of the participant.
• Offering the participant and or caregiver a smooth transition to a different STA provider.
• It provides an opportunity for the caregivers to heal and replenish themselves from the physical and emotional toll they experience as they offer their support and services.
• Offering relief for you or your main caregiver. This provides an opportunity for your primary caregiver to get the needed break.
• Create an environment for you to socialise with others or sharpen new skills.
• STA also comes in handy if the usual support system becomes unavailable.
• STA offers value for money.
• It helps you participate in community activities including meeting and making new friends thus developing your social skills.
• It also provides you with the opportunity to pursue your plans and goals or ambitions by providing you with an opportunity to build your skills.
• STA can also help improve your independence.

It is also important to know and understand the fact that you are in total control over who your service provider is therefore, you can make the necessary changes if need be.

When and Why to Change?

There are a variety of reasons why one would opt to change their service providers. Let us delve deeper. One of the main reasons for a change of an STA provider is unhappiness with your current provider which can be caused by a variety of things including communication issues with your provider. Good communication is vital in ensuring you receive adequate resources and help you need therefore if the customer service of your STA provider is not satisfactory or if your provider talks to you in a manner and tone that affects their services, it is within your right to request for a change of provider. Good communication includes timely response, being notified if and when there is a change of plan, and attending to your concerns and needs professionally. Should you find another STA provider who has better quality service workers, or offers great service and support, this is a good enough reason to switch allegiances.

To ensure you receive the support and help you need, your provider needs to deliver top-notch service, thus if the service delivered does not meet your standards then a change of provider would be ideal. Your service provider needs to be located near you for easy access to you. If you shift to a different location, you can find another service provider in your locality. Also, if the STA provider has made major changes to the costs of their service, it is okay to make changes to suit your current financial needs. If you have raised concerns with your STA provider yet no action has been taken to address your issues, a change of provider will be appropriate. A provider who understands the importance of customer satisfaction and provides support that meets the customer’s needs is key to ensuring you are fully attended to.

The Parting Shot

If your STA provider offers support and services that do not meet your needs anymore, or they have a change in service plans, it is appropriate to seek a change of providers. Remember, you need to be satisfied with the help, and support you receive. There is no point in continuing to receive service that does not meet your needs and goals. Such a service may cause you unwanted distress and frustration. Sometimes, like with every human being, there will be changes in a person’s goals and plans, when such happens, it demands that the STA provider adapt to your change in needs and plans otherwise, if they are unable to provide services that meet your needs then change to a provider that does meet those needs and goals.

Stay tuned for more updates. Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section.