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Hartlepool Technology for Care (HTEC) - Chargeable Service

 

What is Hartlepool Technology-Enabled Care (HTEC)?

HTEC is Hartlepool’s telecare service, available to anyone aged 18 or over who lives in Hartlepool. It helps you stay safe, secure and independent at home by providing around-the-clock support through personal alarms and monitoring systems.

HTEC offers:

  • independence when you want it - help when you need it! 
  • technology and devices that can help you stay safer and independent at home  
  • personal alarms and monitoring systems that can alert call centres or carers if you have a problem at home, such as a falls - this is called telecare 

HTEC options

You can choose from two service options:

Option 1: Alarm with nominated contacts

You’ll receive a base unit and pendant alarm linked to our response team. If you press the alarm:

  • the operator will know who and where you are, even if you are unable to speak 
  • they’ll speak to you through the device
  • they’ll contact one of up to 5 people you’ve nominated

Calls will come from:

0330 678 1097 or 0330 678 1675

Cost: £5 per week (£6 including VAT) from 1 October 2024

Option 2: Alarm with carer response

This includes the same equipment as Option 1, but if you need help a carer from our Direct Care and Support Team will come to assist you.

Cost: £12 per week £14.40 (including VAT)

One-off setup fee: £60 (including VAT)

You will need to have a council-approved key safe, which we can arrange for you if needed - more details below.  

How to get HTEC

Complete the HTEC registration form.

If you need help completing the form, contact the Hartlepool Support Hub with the details at the bottom of this page. 

How to cancel the HTEC service

To cancel your contract please telephone 01429 242906 or email [email protected] and we will discuss the collection of the equipment. Or you can complete the cancellation form.

Do not cancel your direct debit/payment arrangement as payment will be up to the end of the notice period.

We will confirm to you the final payment date for your service.

Getting the equipment

When we receive your order, your information will be shared securely with our contractor Taking Care, who will contact you directly to arrange a convenient date and time for installation.

Under Option 1:

  • they’ll contact you to arrange installation and demonstrate the equipment
  • equipment may be new or refurbished to a high standard

Under Option 2:

  • installation is the same as Option 1
  • a council-approved key safe must be fitted to your property
  • our Handyperson Service will install the key safe within 10 working days. The Handyperson Service will contact you to arrange a convenient time for installation - the number will be a council 01429 number.  

The payment arrangements are that:

  • payments are made monthly in arrears on the 28th of each month
  • we won’t take any payment until we confirm your start date
  • if someone else in your home also needs HTEC, they can share the base unit but will need their own pendant

Additional person charges (from 1 October 2024) are:

  • Option 1: £2.50 per week (£3 including VAT)
  • Option 2: £6 per week (£7.20 including VAT)
    Only one set-up fee applies for Option 2.

VAT exemption

If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you may not need to pay VAT.

Complete the Declaration of Disablement Form.

Key safe requirements (Option 2):

  • A key safe is a secure box fitted outside your home to hold a key which can be accessed by using a code, which you or your family can set 
  • Only trusted carers with the access code can use it
  • If you rent your home, we’ll contact your landlord for permission
  • The Handyperson Service will install the safe and agree a PIN with you
  • You should not change your PIN number but if there is a need to then you must contact the Direct Care and Support Team on 01429 401751 

Key safes approved by us come with the ‘Secured by Design’ guarantee which is the official police security initiative. You must let your house insurance know you are having a key safe fitted. Our experience so far is that this will not increase your insurance premium, but you do need to inform them. If you already have a key safe, we will need to check if it's council-approved. If it isn’t, you will need to have one fitted by us.  

Although the key safe is fitted to your property it remains the property of the council. If you decide in future that you no longer want the HTEC service, we will arrange for the key safe to be removed.  

If you choose Option 1 but still want a key safe, we can arrange this for a small installation fee.