TEC - Technology Enabled Care

Devices such as video and epilepsy monitors, movement sensors, door and window sensos to alert parents if a child is absconding or mattresses that detect when a child is wet or soiled and needs changing, can help parents and carers to enjoy restful sleep. This is important in building their resilience and enabling them to cope with the demands of their caring responsibilities and, will ultimately help to ensure there are better outcomes for children.

There are also apps, such as Brain in Hand, which support young people to manage stress and anxiety by offering personalised support from a mobile phone, putting them in control and giving them access to reminders, notes, coping strategies and a support network for additional help when needed. 

https://www.braininhand.co.uk/

"Having a peace of mind. It's an area we didn't understand. I couldn't sleep before. Now we both sleep better."

TEC can help parents and carers of young people with disabilities by providing extra support. There are also solutions to help young people work towards independence.

Those with social care assessments may be referred by their social worker to our TEC partner, Argenti, following consideraion and approval at a County Allocation Panel (CAP).

We recognise there will be families who do not have a social care assessment, or do not want a social care assessment. There is a private-pay option for TEC, including the Brain in Hand app, if you would like to purchase it for yourself or someone else.

Students who have been recommended Brain in Hand as a part of their DSA Support Provision can also apply.

"Before the installation, I couldn't concentrate. Now it's easier and I can get on with jobs around the house. I would definitely recommend it - I have friends whose children have similar needs, and I would recommend the service to them. I can speak to my son through the camera - that's really helpful."

Here is a real-life example of how TEC has helped a young person in Hampshire. Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

Helen is in her late teens and has autism and epilepsy. Her mother, Susan, has been worried about managing Helen’s condition, but also about her ability to live independently.

Everyday tasks, such as taking a shower or going to school have always required Susan to be there. This made life difficult for both, as Helen couldn’t do what she wanted, until her mum was available, and Susan never had enough time to do things around the house, because she was worried about Helen’s well being.

Helen’s confidence and independence has been affected. When she went out with her
friends, they were always worried because she could have a seizure and they didn’t know what to do.

THE SOLUTION: HCC Children’s Services submitted a TEC referral to Argenti to consider equipment that could help at home and when out in the community.

THE OUTCOME: Due to Helen’s autism, a careful consideration had been made around
assessing her needs, and how these could be met to make her more confident and
independent, as well as safe. Specialist epilepsy monitor, a falls detector, both linked to
mum’s pager, and a GPS mobile phone with a built-in falls detector were installed.

THE BENEFIT: Helen can take a shower and meet her friends without waiting for Susan to be available. This has had a big impact on Helen’s confidence and independence. She can walk two miles to school with her friends. Susan has more time for herself and sleeps better, knowing the equipment can detect any problems Helen might have at home and outside.