Technology Enabled Care (Safe and Connected)
Scope of this chapter
This chapter explains Technology Enabled Care (Safe and Connected).
Enfield are currently looking into ways of improving our TEC offer, please refer to the local resources for more information.
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:
- Promote independence;
- Improve confidence;
- Help manage risks around the home and in the community;
- Support a person to remain living at home;
- Help with memory and recall;
- Support a person to carry out key tasks, such as making a cup of tea; and
- Provide reassurance to carers and family members.
Note: In Enfield, Telecare is provided by and known as Safe and Connected.
Safe and Connected is a range of TEC equipment that can alert the Safe and Connected call centre when, for example:
- A person falls; or
- A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
- A person needs assistance.
Examples of Safe and Connected equipment include:
- A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
- A falls alarm;
- A door sensor.
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can be provided:
- As part of an Enablement service; or
- To support hospital discharges; or
- Alongside services to meet on ongoing care and support needs; or
- Independent from all of the above.
It is available to people who live in:
- Their own home;
- Rented accommodation (including Local Authority accommodation);
- Supported living;
- Extra Care;
- 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.
One off pieces of equipment up to £1,000 are free under the Care Act 2014. Where equipment costs more than £1,000 or the TEC has an on-going service charge attached (for example Telecare provided by Safe and Connected), please refer to our local Charging Policy.
For the latest Safe and Connected charges, see: Safe and Connected.
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.
TEC 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 TEC as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.
If a Safe and Connected referral has been made for a monitoring or response service, the team will carry out a telephone assessment of the person's needs to ensure the right equipment is in place. However, to ensure that the most appropriate equipment is being offered, referrers may find it helpful to watch the YouTube video on the Safe and Connected webpage and advise in the referral, the type of equipment that will benefit the person’s long term needs.
Technology Enabled Care should be arranged in line with local processes and requirements.
All monitoring activity should be recorded in line with local recording requirements.
At such time when monitoring is no longer required it may cease.
Any Technology Enabled Care that is part of a person's Care and Support Plan should always be reviewed as part of the statutory review of that plan.
Technology Enabled Care should be removed in line with local processes and requirements.
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.
It is the responsibility of Safe and Connected to repair or replace all monitoring telecare devices provided.
To report a fault, the person (or anyone else on their behalf) can call 020 8803 1524 (lines open 24/7) or email safeandconnected@enfield.gov.uk.
Last Updated: January 16, 2024
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