Technology Enabled Care

Technology Enabled Care refers to any gadget that is used to increase, maintain or improve a person's independence or reduce the risk to their wellbeing.

Used effectively, Technology Enabled Care can:

1. Promote independence;
2. Improve confidence;
3. Help manage risks around the home and in the community;
4. Support a person to remain living at home;
5. Help with memory and recall;
6. Support a person to carry out key tasks, such as making a cup of tea; and
7. Provide reassurance to carers and family members.

Telecare is a type of Technology Enabled Care (TEC) that can alert a call centre when a person requires help in an emergency, for example:

1. A person falls;
2. A person leaves their home unexpectedly;
3. A person is incontinent in bed.

Examples of telecare sensors include:

1. An automatic falls sensor;
2. A door sensor to alert if a person leaves their home unexpectedly;
3. An enuresis sensor to detect night time urinary incontinence.

Please note that usually the Council will not provide basic lifeline and pendant services, unless this is required to:

• Enable other telecare sensors to be installed;
• Enable access to the 24 Hour Emergency Homecare Response Service;
• Enable a package of social care support to be provided for hospital discharge and other local services are unable to meet the required installation timescales.

There are several local and national organisations which provide basic lifeline and pendant services.

For further information see: Notts Help Yourself website.

TEC can be provided:

1. To enhance, or as an alternative to traditional care and support services
2. To prevent the need for long term social care and support
3. To support hospital discharge, as part of social care support to return home
4. To support reablement.

It is available to people who live in:

1. Their own home;
2. Rented accommodation (including Local Authority accommodation);
3. Supported living;
4. Extra Care;
5. Shared lives placements.

If a person lives in residential or nursing care, TEC is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.

For information or advice about TEC please contact the TEC Team:

E-mail: telecare@nottscc.gov.uk

Telephone: 0115 8040023

If the person has eligible needs, there is no charge for equipment. 

There is a charge for telecare, and this varies depending on the type of telecare unit installed. For units connected to the home phone line the charge is £2.01 per week and the bill payer will be responsible for the cost of any calls made by the equipment.  If the Council provides a unit connected to the mobile phone network the charge is £3.50 per week, inclusive of calls. 

Where relevant, the charge for telecare will be subject to a financial assessment of the person’s ability to pay by Adult Care Financial Services.

If a Care and Support Plan is being developed or reviewed, the use of TEC to increase the person’s independence should always be considered.

Any TEC that is provided should be recorded in the plan.

TEC is only provided if the person is eligible for long term social care, or there is a significant risk that without the TEC equipment the person will require long term social care support within the next 12 months.

If the person requires telecare equipment then two local responders within 45 minutes travel time, such as relatives or friends, must agree to be available to help in an emergency.  If the person does not have anyone local willing to act as a responder, the 24-Hour Emergency Homecare Response Service can be commissioned by a social care worker if the person is eligible for a personal budget.

For advice on eligibility please contact the TEC Team:

E-mail: telecare@nottscc.gov.uk

Telephone: 0115 8040023

Social care staff should make a referral using the Mosaic ‘Assistive Technology Request’ step from a Three Conversation step or from the Person’s Start>New menu.

Please check the person meets the eligibility criteria above before making a referral.  

External agencies can refer people using the online contact form or calling the Customer Services Centre on 0300 500 80 80.

See: Professional Adult Care Contact Form

Individuals can self-refer for TEC by calling the Customer Services Centre on 0300 500 80 80.

The TEC Team will undertake periodic reviews of any equipment installed. 

Outside of scheduled reviews, advice or guidance can be sought from the TEC Team as required if it appears equipment is:

• Not being used appropriately; or
• Not effective in managing risks or needs.

If a review is taking place of the Care and Support Plan, you should consider how existing, or potential further TEC, can contribute to improving the person’s outcomes and maintaining their independence.

Any faulty Technology Enabled Care can be reported to the Customer Services Centre:

Telephone: 0300 500 80 80

Email: telecare@nottscc.gov.uk

TEC equipment collection requests can be made by telephoning the Customer Services Centre:

Telephone: 0300 500 80 80

Email: telecare@nottscc.gov.uk

The TEC Team will arrange the collection and close any telecare charges on Mosaic.

Note: If a review has determined that TEC is no longer required these arrangements should only be made when any alternative provision to meet needs is in place.