Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 10, 2025

Purpose:

Content: 9.1 The Service Manager, Citywide Care Alarms was in attendance to outline a proposal for the introduction of a new TEC Charging Policy to support the city-wide transition to a TEC first approach. The proposed policy aimed to make TEC services, such as Citywide Care Alarms (CWCA), more accessible by means testing alongside care and support for those eligible for adult social care, and away from a traded service model.     9.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee: -   a)    To approve the new TEC Charging Policy, which will see TEC services means tested alongside care and support for people eligible for adult social care services b)    To note the move to means testing alongside care and support for those eligible for adult social care moves away from a traded service model c)    To note that further stakeholder engagement will be undertaken should the recommendation be approved, please refer to the timeline in section 2     9.3 Reasons for Decision     9.3.1 TEC enables a range of people to be able to continue to live independently, safe, and well in their own home improving quality of life and supports the delivery of the Adult Health & Social Care Strategy Living the Life you want to Live. TEC services deliver benefits, including preventing, delaying, and reducing the need for more intrusive and costly care, demand management, the optimisation of care packages, supporting early discharge from hospital, and preventing avoidable admissions.     9.3.2 The new Charging Policy will ensure that the TEC services are sustainable and accessible to those people often in most need helping to address health inequalities. The changes are aimed at significantly increasing the number of people able to benefit from both care & support and TEC services which will also deliver service efficiencies across Health, Housing, and Social Care.     9.3.3 The re-branding of the Citywide Care Alarms is in preparation for the new TEC Service Delivery Model as well as supporting the wider service redesign.         9.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     9.4.1 Alternative Option 1: TEC is treated as a choice service and continue to be charged as per the current model for CWCA. • May discourage uptake among those in receipt of social care, particularly for most financially excluded (health inequalities). • Cost higher for people with the highest need can create digital poverty and health inequalities • Risk around compliance with care act and complexity of evidencing that not a part of meeting eligible needs. • Creates a barrier for the social care practitioners to promote TEC when it is an additional charge for the service       9.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Have separate charging for existing City-wide Care Alarms and new TEC cases. This is inequitable, will require significant administrative support to manage and will cause confusion and implementation challenges. It would also decrease uptake of CWCA for financially excluded individuals.     9.4.3 Alternative Option 3: Private clients are considered for a means test as well as care act assessed individuals. This will have significant costs around administering this number of assessments and is impractical given resources.     9.4.4 Alternative Option 4: Providing TEC free of charge in all circumstances. This was not affordable with the current financial position of the council.