Michael Steed, Brandon Business Development Manager, worked alongside Brandon and More Than A Provider colleagues to develop a new Sustainable Supported Living Costing Tool. Here, he explains how they approached the project and why it matters.
Funding has been inconsistent
For years, supported living has been the backbone of independence for thousands of people with learning disabilities. Yet, despite its importance, the way we fund it has remained opaque and inconsistent, leaving providers and commissioners to navigate a maze of uncertainty. Promises of ‘quality’ have too often been paired with budgets that fail to reflect reality.
That gap has consequences: for the people who rely on care and support, for the staff who deliver it, and for the organisations striving to keep services sustainable. This now changes. The launch of the Sustainable Supported Living Costing Tool marks an opportunity for a turning point, a move toward transparency, fairness, and integrity in care funding. It’s not just a tool; it’s a statement that honesty must underpin the price of delivery.
A partnership built on purpose
This costing tool was developed by the More Than a Provider collaborative – a group of five not-for-profit organisations, including Brandon Trust. Working alongside consultancy PPL, we’ve created something rare: a pricing framework that is practical and transparent.
It replaces guesswork with evidence and compromise, with clarity. Supported living is about enabling people to live with independence and dignity in their own communities, through flexible, tailored support that reflects individual needs. This approach aligns with the social care sector’s commitment to inclusion and choice, ensuring people have control over their lives.
Sustainable pricing made real
When pricing reflects reality, everyone benefits. Quality thrives because standards are funded, not just promised. Staff feel valued, with fair pay and training that lead to stability and skill. And providers can plan for the future, building services that are resilient rather than fragile.
At Brandon, these outcomes aren’t just aspirations they’re rooted in our values of respect, independence, and inclusion. The MTaP Pricing Tool turns those ideals into action:
- Respect for the true cost of care and support, and the professionals who deliver it
- Independence for providers to plan, invest, and innovate with confidence
- Inclusion by ensuring every individual’s needs shape the budget, not the other way round.
Together, sustainable pricing and strong values create a foundation that is fair, because the price of delivery deserves honesty and nothing less.
Michael Steed
Business Development Manager
