Technology Enabled Care (TEC)

Market Context

Technology Enabled Care (TEC) is the use of technology to provide health and care services to people with care and support needs in their own homes, or near to home, and through doing so encouraging and increasing levels of self-care, wellbeing, and independence.

TEC is one of several primary offers from Somerset Council and a key part of our Adult Social Care Strategy supporting people to live as independent as they can, stay safe and live well. We currently commission two types of Technology Enabled Care (TEC) equipment that can be provided following an assessment:

• Carelines and connected sensors/detectors – available from Somerset Lifeline
• Standalone devices – available from the TEC catalogue from Medequip (Somerset Council’s commissioned Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services)

Prescribing decisions are based on Care Act eligibility, the views of the individual about the technology required, the views of any carer and the positive impact of these decisions on the person’s wellbeing.

The focus over the next 12 months is to utilise data to inform decisions around care and technology and to move from a reactive approach to a proactive, preventative one. Our Somerset Lifeline service have procured a new digital platform to receive calls and alerts, and this will enable Adult Social Care to commission more innovative, smart technology to meet the increasing needs of Somerset residents and ensure our offer of TEC is appropriate and that it can help us prioritise and direct funding to those who need it most, ensuring social care resources are utilised where they will have the greatest impact.

Market Rating

• Market Quality: Good
• Market Supply: Good
• Demand: Stable
• Commissioner ambitions: To expand the offer and procure more innovative technology to meet the needs and to accurately measure the financial benefits of the service.
• Market workforce: Requires integrated working but we are developing good relationships with providers and organisations involved in the delivery of health and care services.
• Market maturity: Still growing

Current status

• The TEC market within Somerset will always be developing as technology and digital interventions change and update frequently.
• As part of the South West Association of Directors of Adult Social Services annual benchmarking exercise,  Somerset has improved considerably as a system and is investing in digital innovations.
• Our commissioning focus is on integrated working with partners, and specialist provision, e.g. falls prevention, D2A Reablement and learning disability services and ensuring priorities align with overall ASC ambitions in improving the lives of residents in Somerset.
• The TEC model is still likely to require further investment going forward to keep up with a growing demand and everchanging market. We will also require robust benefit realisation and continue to ensure the Adult Social Care workforce are skilled to consider the use of TEC when assessing and support planning.

Market Data

Data is for the period 2025/26:

Distance from desired commissioning objectives

• Our aim is for Somerset Lifeline to be our TEC Provider of choice, providing end-to-end TEC Service for ASC and the residents of Somerset.
• Further work is needed to promote the use of TEC to people who are considering support from ASC and we need to ensure our public facing website has appropriate information on TEC and how it can support people before they come to ASC for help.
• We wish to continue to increase the number of individuals using TEC to maximise their independence staying in their own homes, accessing their communities and, where appropriate, to maintain their caring role.

Market Risks

• The Digital switchover
• TEC not being considered early as part of our universal offer or supported by all our partners.

Current areas of focus for commissioners

• Embedding Tech Enabled Care into Intermediate Care pathway 1 services
• Continue to enable our workforce to understand how TEC can support people to achieve their outcomes and how we are able to facilitate that support through use of TEC.
• Continue to promote the use of TEC to people with care and support needs as an alternative to traditional care services to provide more person centred and cost-effective support solutions.
• To develop targeted learning and support for practitioners and care providers to complement existing services, encouraging the use of TEC as an enablement approach.
• Develop training on TEC to be delivered within the Somerset Health and Care Academy opening at Bridgwater in 2028 and ensure this meets the needs of the future workforce who are considering and training for a career in Health and Social Care.
• Continue to showcase TEC at the Independent Living Centres (SILC’s) and ensure what is on display is current and reflective of people’s needs.
• Trial and implement innovative TEC products and systems that we can add to our current provision.