Technology Enabled Care (including MASCOT Telecare)
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.
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;
- A smoke or CO2 sensor.
Note: MASCOT Telecare is London Borough of Merton’s 24 hour telecare system provider.
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can be provided:
- As part of a Reablement 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. In some sheltered schemes it is sometimes the housing association that has responsibility for the provisions of telecare.
Note: 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.
The following links can be used to provide information and advice about MASCOT Telecare:
Staying independent at home: Personal alarms and home monitoring – Mascot Telecare | Merton Council
There are various price plans for MASCOT Telecare. If the person receives certain benefits, such as pension credit, there are lower rates available. Charges can be discussed as part of the assessment process.
For further information about charging see the MASCOT website.
MASCOT Telecare should not be provided until an appropriate and proportionate assessment of need has been carried out.
Once a need for Telecare has been identified, a referral should be made. The referral form can be downloaded from: Referrals – Mascot Telecare (mascot-telecare.org.uk).
MASCOT Telecare will undertake a specialist assessment, provide advice and information about the service and agree with the person the Telecare equipment to be provided.
All individuals that use MASCOT Telecare will have an Individual Agreement. A copy of this will be provided by the MASCOT team. The agreement template can be found in the Local Resources area.
MASCOT Telecare will provide all equipment reasonably necessary to provide the monitoring service for the receipt of calls from equipment set out in the agreement. If the equipment is provided under a rental agreement the equipment shall remain in the ownership of MASCOT Telecare.
A person can also self-refer to MASCOT Telecare.
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 TEC 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 Technology Enabled Care is no longer required these arrangements should only be made when any alternative provision to meet needs is in place.
Repairs to the alarm system are undertaken by MASCOT Telecare agents.
MASCOT Telecare are responsible for replacing and checking the batteries in all equipment subject to the agreement, unless otherwise stated. The person (or their representative) is responsible for testing the equipment through to the centre on a monthly basis.
Last Updated: November 20, 2023
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