Assisted Technology and Careline
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, 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.
Careline is the provider of Telecare in Harrow.
Telecare is the term used to describe the range of TEC equipment that can alert a call centre when, for example:
- A person falls; or
- A person leaves their home unexpectedly; or
- A person needs assistance.
Examples of Telecare include:
- A personal alarm (pendant alarm);
- A falls alarm;
- A door sensor.
Assistive technology and a Careline service can be provided:
- As part of a Reablement/rehabilitation 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.
Assistive technology
You should refer to available local policy regarding the current costs associated with the provision of assistive technology.
Careline
Please see Harrow's Careline/personal alarm service.
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), please refer to our local Charging Policy.
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.
Assistive technology or Careline 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 TEC as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.
Any social care practitioner can assess the need for assistive technology and Careline as part of a needs assessment if they are confident to do so.
If advice or guidance is required at any point during the assessment you should speak to your line manager.
The processes for arranging assistive technology or a Careline service are the same for all teams. Any available information about these processes can be found in the Local Resources area of this procedures site or Harrow's Careline/personal alarm service.
Where there is a need to monitor the effectiveness of any AT or Careline service provided the social care practitioner who arranged the equipment or 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 assistive technology and Careline service is reviewed as part of statutory Care and Support Plan reviews.
Any assistive technology or Careline service that is part of a person's Care and Support Plan should always be reviewed as part of the statutory review of that plan.
Assistive technology or a Careline service should be removed in line with local processes and requirements.
Note: If a review has determined that assistive technology or Careline equipment is no longer required these arrangements should only be made when any alternative provision to meet needs is in place.
Where the person is making a financial contribution the team responsible for financial assessment should be notified so that any reassessment required can take place.
Last Updated: March 13, 2025
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