Skip to content

Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

Company Logo
Technology Enabled Care

Technology Enabled Care

1. Technology Enabled Care

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) 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, TEC 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.

1.1 Telecare

Telecare is the term used to describe the range of TEC 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 include:

  1. A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
  2. A falls alarm;
  3. A door sensor.

In Hillingdon all Telecare services are provided by TeleCareLine.

2. Providing Technology Enabled Care

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can be provided:

  1. As part of a Reablement service; or
  2. To support hospital discharges; 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 Technology Enabled Care is normally the responsibility of the provider to assess and arrange.

3. Information and Advice about TeleCareLine

Hillingdon Social care and wellbeing has a dedicated webpage with good information about TeleCareLine.

See: TeleCareLine.

4.1 Free provision

The TeleCareLine service is free:

  1. To residents who are aged 75 and over;
  2. To residents currently receiving Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax reduction (this does not include single occupancy discount);
  3. For up to six weeks, as part of the reablement package.

4.2 Chargeable provision

A financial assessment will determine any contribution payable by a person not eligible for a free TeleCareLine service.

There are 4 levels of service, ranging from £1.13 per week to £12.00 per week depending on what is provided.

5. The Care and Support Plan

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

6. Establishing the Need for TeleCareLine

A TeleCareLine service 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 TeleCareLine as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.

7. Arranging TeleCareLine

The processes for arranging TeleCareLine is the same for all teams. Any available information about these processes can be found in the Local Resources area.

8.1 Monitoring effectiveness

Where there is a need to monitor the effectiveness of the TeleCareLine service the social care practitioner who arranged the service should undertake this role, or make appropriate arrangements for another service or person to do so.

All monitoring activity should be recorded on case observation notes.

At such time when monitoring is no longer required it may cease. However, if the person has other services steps must be taken to ensure that the TeleCareLine service is reviewed as part of statutory Care and Support Plan reviews.

8.2 Review

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

8.3 Removing TeleCareLine

If a TeleCareLine service is no longer required, equipment should be removed in line with local processes and requirements.

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

9. Repairing TeleCareLine Equipment

All TeleCareLine equipment should be repaired and maintained in line with local processes and requirements.

Last Updated: December 9, 2025

v37