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Service information

Community alarms and Telecare Service


Community alarm

What is it?

Social care offer an enhanced service which gives you a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week quick response from a trained social care staff member. This means that your carer, relative or neighbour will not need to be on call at all times.  We would also include any equipment that you need. We can offer you a very wide range of equipment such as:

  • key safe
  • personal alarm – this can be worn around your neck, around your wrist or be clipped to clothing
  • smoke detector
  • fall detector
  • flood detector – detects pools of water on bathroom or kitchen floor and raises alarm
  • extreme temperature sensors – detects changes in temperature in the home
  • enuresis mat – to detect a wet bed
  • night time epilepsy sensor – to detect fits when someone is asleep
  • electronic pill dispenser / reminder
  • bogus caller alarm – this can be pressed to raise a silent alarm if someone has a caller at their door they are unsure of
  • bed sensor - will alert if someone has left the bed and not returned within a specified time.
  • property exit sensor - will alert if someone leaves the property

All of these are connected to our control room and will raise the alarm if they are set off. When any alarm is raised our community alarms team will get in touch with you or your contact person, to find out if you are OK and send help if you need it.

How can I get it?

To find out about getting equipment and the response service, you first need to contact us on 0845 111 2922. We can then arrange a social care assessment. There is no charge for the assessment.

What happens next?

If the assessment shows that you could use some equipment in your home we will list these items in your assessment, the Community Alarm Service will make an appointment with you to install the equipment. A basic package consists of lifeline and pendant, smoke alarms and a key safe.

The response service will activate immediately after the equipment is fitted.

What does it cost?

The service will cost £12.50 per month. You will not have to pay if you are already paying for any other community services (like home care, day care, adult placements, individual budgets or supported living) under the Benefits Based Charging system.

If you currently have an alarm and you are not paying for any other community services you will be charged £12.50 per month.

If you do not wish to pay the charges, you can contact us and ask to have the alarm service removed.

Contact us

For further information and advice please contact adult social care

This page was last updated on 10 February 2012