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 though 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 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 continue to drive awareness across ASC operational teams and providers with TEC and the digital transformation impacting on the Integrated Care System (ICS) in Somerset.

Market Rating

• Market Quality: Good
• Market Supply: limited
• Demand: Stable
• Commissioner ambitions: To expand the offer and model.
• Market workforce: Requires integrated working.
• Market maturity: Still growing and immature.

Current market status

• The TEC market within Somerset is still developing.
• As part of the South West Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) annual benchmarking exercise has been identified that Somerset has improved considerably as a system, and is investing in digital innovations.
• The commissioning focus is focused on integrated working with partners, and specialist provision, e.g. within mental health and learning disability services.
• The TEC model is still likely to review further investment in certain areas, such as, Extra Care Housing, home environments and residential settings.

Market Data

Data is for the period:

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 enable the workforce within our ICS to understand how TEC can support people to achieve their outcomes and how we are able to facilitate that support through use of a TEC Provider Service.
• Further work is also needed promote the use of TEC to people who have care and support needs as an alternative to traditional care services, and provide more person centred and cost-effective support solutions.
• We wish to continue to increase the number of individuals and their support 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 a TEC Provider Service.
• 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.
• Increase the number of individuals, carers and their support in using TEC to maximise their independence staying in their own homes, accessing their communities and where appropriate maintain their caring role.
• To develop targeted learning and support for therapists, practitioners and care providers to complement existing services, encouraging the use of TEC as an enablement approach
• Work with housing colleagues to develop a space where the very latest TEC is trialled and tested and individuals with more complex needs, which cannot be met at the SILC’s, can be assessed or have TEC demonstrated to them, their families and care supporters. This also serves as a training facility for the ICS on TEC awareness.
• Work with Somerset Lifeline on the procurement of a Digital monitoring platform to enable more innovative technology to be provided as part of the funded TEC offer.