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Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

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Assistive Technology and Telecare

Assistive Technology and Telecare

1.1 Assistive Technology

Assistive technology 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, assistive technology 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.

1.2 Telecare

Telecare is the term used to describe the range of equipment that can alert a call centre when, for example:

  1. A person falls; or
  2. A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
  3. A person needs assistance.

Examples of Telecare equipment include:

  1. A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
  2. A falls alarm;
  3. A door sensor;
  4. Heat detector;
  5. Smoke detector;
  6. Panic alarm - unwanted visitors.

Examples of other assistive technology include:

  1. Just Checking - assessing a person's need in their own environment in the short term;
  2. Buddi - supporting a person to access their community safely.

2. Providing Assistive Technology or Telecare

Assistive technology and Telecare can be provided:

  1. As part of a Reablement service; or
  2. To support hospital teams; or
  3. Alongside services to meet ongoing care and support needs; or
  4. Independent from all of the above.

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 assistive technology and Telecare is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.

Responses include:

  1. Support via the telephone – information and emotional support;
  2. Physical support – provided by family or a member of the Direct Care and Support Team;
  3. Emergency Services response – Fire Brigade.

3. Information and Advice about Assistive Technology

For information and advice contact:

  1. Thirteen Group;
  2. Claire Battle – Team Lead, HBC;
  3. Gill Bailey – Team Lead, HBC.

4. Charging for Assistive Technology or Telecare

Telecare is currently free of charge for people who have an assessed need.

5. The Care and Support Plan

If the person has an existing (or developing) Care and Support Plan any assistive technology or Telecare that is provided to meet on-going needs must be recorded in the plan.

6. Establishing the Need for Assistive Technology or Telecare

Assistive technology and Telecare should not be provided until an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out.

Any social care practitioner can assess the need for assistive technology and Telecare as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.

7. Arranging Assistive Technology or Telecare

All Telecare requests are submitted via CareFirst on a D2 form and triaged by the Integrated Single Point of Access, before being forwarded to Thirteen Group.

Buddi requests are submitted on a referral form and emailed to the Direct Care and Support Team.

Just Checking kits are requested via email to Adults Commissioning.

8.1 Monitoring effectiveness

Telecare activity is monitored by Thirteen Group and any issues highlighted with Adult Social Care.

Just Checking is monitored daily and reviewed at an agreed date, as this is only a short-term assessment tool.

8.2 Review

The effectiveness of the Telecare Service is reviewed annually or earlier if required.

Buddi is reviewed annually or earlier if required.

Any assistive technology or Telecare that is part of a person's Care and Support Plan should always be reviewed as part of the statutory review of that plan.

9. Repairing Assistive Technology or Telecare

Thirteen Group are responsible for repairing all Telecare devices.

10. Removing Assistive Technology or Telecare

Telecare – Worker to inform Thirteen Group to remove.

Buddi – Worker to inform the Direct Care and Support Team to request removal.

Just Checking – Worker to contact Adults Commissioning to request/agree removal.

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

Last Updated: February 13, 2026

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