Technology to help you stay independent (Technology Enabled Care)
How Technology Enabled Care works
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) uses simple devices and support services to help people stay safe, independent and confident at home.
We want people to live the lives they choose for as long as possible. Technology can help you continue doing the things that matter to you, while giving reassurance that help is available if you need it.
TEC can include personal alarms, sensors and other devices in your home. These are connected to a response centre that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In Lancashire, the service is provided by Progress Lifeline. If an alarm or sensor is activated, trained operators will assess the situation and, if needed, contact a family member, friend, carer or the emergency services.
More than an alarm service
TEC is about more than responding to emergencies.
Different types of technology can help with everyday life and support people to remain independent at home. Depending on your needs, technology can:
help you call for assistance in an emergency
remind you to take medication
alert someone if there is a fall or another concern
provide reassurance to family members and carers
help you stay safe and confident at home
The benefits of TEC
Technology Enabled Care can help you:
stay independent for longer
feel safe and confident at home
continue living in the place you call home
stay connected to the people who support you
access help quickly when you need it
For carers, TEC can provide peace of mind that the person they care for can get help, even when they are not nearby.
Choose the level of support that's right for you
We offer different levels of support, so you can choose the option that best suits your needs and gives you confidence to live independently at home.
You will need to select a service level and pay the relevant charge.
This option is suitable if you have family, friends or neighbours who can help if needed.
You will need to provide details of two people who have access to your home. We call these keyholders.
If your alarm or sensor is activated, the Progress Lifeline team will contact your keyholders. If necessary, they will contact the emergency services.
Your keyholders can be family members, friends or neighbours who are available when needed.
This option includes support from a mobile response team.
A key safe will be fitted outside your home so authorised staff or emergency services can enter if needed.
If your alarm or sensor is activated, Progress Lifeline will assess the situation. A member of the response team may visit your home to check that you are safe and well. If needed, they will contact the emergency services.
This option includes everything in the Response Service, plus regular wellbeing checks.
You can choose either:
a weekly visit from a member of the Progress Lifeline team, or
two telephone wellbeing calls each week.
These check-ins are an opportunity to talk about how you are feeling, discuss any concerns and make sure you have the support you need to remain safe, well and independent at home.
Help if you have a fall
If you fall but are not injured and need help getting back on your feet, support is available through the falls lifting service.
You can access this service if you have a TEC pendant or watch.
The service is available to everyone who uses Technology Enabled Care, regardless of the support package you choose.
What does TEC cost?
There are different charges depending on the support and equipment you choose. Some exceptions apply.
Find out more about Technology Enabled Care charges.
We offer a range of devices to help people stay safe, independent and confident at home. The right technology can provide reassurance, support day-to-day living and help people continue doing the things that matter to them.
Alarms and emergency support
Personal alarms can help you get assistance quickly if you need it.
Depending on your service level, an alert can be sent to:
a family member, friend or neighbour
the Progress Lifeline response team
the emergency services, if needed
Sensors for your home
Sensors can help identify potential risks and raise an alert if something is wrong.
These include:
smoke detectors
flood detectors
carbon monoxide detectors
temperature sensors
door sensors
movement sensors
Technology that checks on your wellbeing
Some devices can identify changes in your normal routine and let someone know if there may be a concern.
For example, they can:
identify if you may have fallen
detect if you have not moved for a long period of time
support medication reminders
support people living with epilepsy
support people experiencing incontinence
Location and tracking devices
GPS devices can support people who may become lost or disorientated, including some people living with dementia.
They can provide reassurance to the person using the device, as well as their family and carers.
Apps and reminders
Mobile phone apps can help people manage everyday tasks through reminders and alerts.
Some apps can also help support people living with the early stages of dementia.
Specialist technology
We also provide specialist equipment for people with sensory impairments.
This includes support for people who are:
Deaf
hard of hearing
blind or partially sighted
living with combined sight and hearing loss
Analogue to digital switchover process, costs and how to apply
Telephone providers in the UK are transitioning their phone services from analogue landline phones to new digital landline services.
As a result, your TEC equipment may need to be replaced with new digital equipment.
Phone companies will be contacting people to upgrade their phone service.
For more information about the changes to landline phones visit Age UK.
What to do
We understand a change like this can be daunting. We cannot speak to your phone provider for you, but have prepared some information and recommendations for you.
1. When your phone provider contacts you
When your phone provider contacts you to arrange your digital upgrade, ask them to make a note on your account that you have telecare/TEC equipment.
The phone provider will arrange for an engineer to visit your home.
2. Before the visit, contact Progress Lifeline
Contact Progress Lifeline to tell them when your phone line is being upgraded, as you may need new digital equipment.
Telephone: 03333 204 999
Email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk
3. During the engineer's visit to your home
When the phone provider’s engineer visits your home, tell them you have TEC.
Ask that they reconnect your TEC to the new phone line before they leave so your TEC service can continue. If your technology is not reconnected, it will not work.
Before you accept the upgrade and before the engineer leaves your home, make a test call to the alarm receiving centre to check everything is working.
If the call is answered, let the operator know you are testing your equipment.
If the call is not answered, ask the engineer to reinstate the phone line and TEC equipment as it was before.
Battery back-up units
TEC users can get a free battery back-up unit for the digital phone system. Check with your phone provider to see if you are eligible for this.
The battery back-up unit will provide 1 hour of power in the event of a power failure. Ask your phone provider about their arrangements in the event of a mains power failure.
Compatibility with phone service providers
Progress Lifeline has tested its equipment at the test labs of BT, Talk Talk, Sky, Kcom and Virgin Media. This ensures that your TEC devices are compatible with these networks and will function reliably with your phone service.
If you are with a different provider, you can contact Progress Lifeline for guidance.
There is a charge for the service but all equipment is paid for by Lancashire County Council. The council maintains ownership of all equipment.
From 7 April 2026 the weekly charges are:
Level one - Monitoring service (£4.40 per week)
Level two - Responder service (£6.06 per week)
Level three - Premium service (£9.92 per week)
See how TEC works for more information about what is included in each level.
For all levels of the TEC service:
charges will be the same no matter how many pieces of equipment are installed
the falls lifting service is available to all TEC service users regardless of your chosen service level
TEC will be charged at a flat weekly rate per household (no extra charge if 2 people living at the same address are using TEC)
charges will remain the same no matter how often you trigger your alarm - we will contact you, if we feel that your use of the service is excessive and that the service is not meeting your needs
all equipment will remain the property of Lancashire County Council
any costs for maintenance, exchange and repair of equipment will be covered by the weekly charge
the county council have subsidised the service
charges will be reviewed annually
Payment
We will send you a monthly bill or if we already charge you for care services, we will add the TEC charges to your regular bill.
You can pay your invoice online, using a Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card. You can also pay by direct debit. Details of how to pay will be printed on the back of your invoice.
Direct payments
If you receive direct payments, you should not use your direct payment to purchase the TEC service. TEC is a universal non-means tested service.
Reablement service
A mobile device may be offered, free of charge and for up to six weeks, if you are using the reablement service or have been discharged from hospital and need help to regain daily living skills and confidence. This early exposure to TEC will help increase your confidence in the equipment and the service, whilst encouraging continued use.
Continuing Health Care (CHC)
If you're entitled to Continuing Health Care (CHC) the NHS will pay for your TEC service as part of an NHS Continuing Health Care package, if you are eligible.
Section 117 free aftercare
If you're entitled to aftercare services provided under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act, you will not pay for TEC.
Help with costs
If you have other care services
TEC is not a means tested service, so is not subject to a financial assessment. However, you can request that the cost is offset against your financial assessment, if you have other care services. This is known as a disability related expense and you can find more information in financial implications for non residential care.
Government benefits and support
You may be eligible for benefits or allowances that could be used to pay for the service. Please visit the Government's website to check the benefits and financial support you could get.
You must be a Lancashire resident aged over 18 to receive the TEC service through Lancashire County Council.
You do not need to be receiving any health or social care help and you do not need to have had a social care assessment.
How to apply
You'll need to choose a level of service and pay the associated charge. See how TEC works for more details about the service levels.
Use the form below to apply for the TEC service through Lancashire County Council.
After you submit the form, an advisor from Progress Lifeline will be in touch within six working days. They will arrange an assessment visit and the installation.
You can also call Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6720 to apply for the service.
Arranging your own TEC
If you wish to arrange TEC yourself, you can visit the Progress Lifeline website or contact Progress Lifeline directly on 03333 204 999.
You can also search for other TEC service providers through the Telecare Services Association website.
Cancel the TEC service
You can cancel the service at any time.
Before you start you will need your reference number from a recent invoice.
Your reference number can be found on the top right-hand side. Please enter the numbers only (for example 924446 not A924446).
To cancel complete the form below or call 0300 123 6720.
In the unfortunate event of a loved one’s passing, the TEC service can be transferred to another person using the above form.
If you cancel the TEC service, and you need your key safe to enable access for either formal or informal carers you can keep the key safe, at no charge.
Contact the TEC service
You can apply for TEC or cancel TEC online or by phone.
If you have a question about your application or cancellation, contact us:
Email: TEC@lancashire.gov.uk
Contact Progress Housing if you would like information about the service:
Telephone: 03333 204 999