Technology Enabled Care
How Technology Enabled Care works
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) is technology and supporting services that help you to stay independent or get help in an emergency.
It uses devices such as personal alarms and sensors for your home that are linked to a 24/7 response centre.
Our Lancashire TEC service is delivered by Progress Lifeline, they monitor the devices and run the response centre.
The operators are trained to deal with emergency situations. When a personal alarm or sensor is activated, an operator will assess the situation and alert a nominated contact or emergency services.
But TEC is more than an alarm service. A range of devices can monitor your wellbeing and help you with day-to-day activities too.
The benefits of TEC
TEC can give you confidence to live at home safe in the knowledge help is at hand when you need it.
If you are a carer, TEC can provide reassurance the person you care for can get help when you are not available.
Levels of service
You will need to select a service level from the list below and pay the associated charge:
You must nominate two people who live nearby to have a set of keys for your home. We call them keyholders.
When an alert is raised Progress Lifeline will notify your keyholders and, if necessary, emergency services.
Keyholders could be a friend, neighbour or family member. Care agencies and family members, who are not available 24/7, will not be accepted as suitable contacts/keyholders.
A set of your keys will be kept in a key safe outside your home for the mobile response team or emergency services to access.
When an alert is raised, a member of staff from Progress Lifeline (or the emergency services, if necessary) will enter your home to check on you.
Includes the level 2 service plus either a weekly face-to-face welfare visit, or two weekly telephone calls from a member of staff at Progress Lifeline.
The visit or phone call will normally last for 10 minutes. The caller will check that you are well and talk about how you are feeling.
Falls lifting service
The fall lifting service is there if you fall, but are not injured, and need help to get back on your feet. You can access the service with a TEC pendant or watch.
This service is available to everyone using the TEC service, regardless of your chosen service level.
Charging information
There are some exceptions to the charges. Find out more about TEC charges.
Types of devices
We have a wide range of devices that can raise an alarm, monitor your wellbeing and promote good health.
Social care alarms
These alarms can notify a named keyholder, the mobile response service or, if appropriate, the emergency services.
Home environment sensors
Environment sensors include:
smoke detectors
temperature sensors which can detect fire or low temperature
flood detectors
door sensors
sensors that monitor movement
carbon monoxide detectors
Activity monitors
Activity monitoring sensors can monitor your movement patterns and tell us if you may have fallen or been sitting for a long time.
Other sensors support with incontinence, epilepsy or taking medication.
Tracking devices
GPS tracking devices are typically used to monitor the location and movements of people with dementia.
These trackers help you and your family members keep an eye on your loved one, giving you peace of mind.
Self-care apps
Self-care apps on your phone can help you through reminders and notifications.
Some apps use GPS location services to monitor people with early-stage dementia.
Specialist sensors
There are specialist sensors to support you in your day-to-day activities if you are:
deaf
hearing impaired
visually impaired (whether partially sighted or blind)
have a combined sensory 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