What is Assistive Technology 

The e-learning module for AT is available on the L&D hub.

Pre-referral Engagement and Approval

The following points should be considered before making a referral:

• Practitioners should establish verbal consent and issue a Privacy Notice as appropriate. If required, Mental Capacity Assessments and best interest decisions should also be made in advance of referrals. If independent or ‘Care Act’ advocacy is required, this should be arranged and the advocate should be involved in the process. Further guidance on advocacy and mental capacity can be found on the MCA and DOLS page.
• Supported Living providers should be consulted prior to referral and engaged with regarding potential monitoring /response options. Agreement from all residents would be required if any equipment beyond basic safety equipment (such as smoke detectors) is going to be installed in shared areas
• Practitioners do not need to seek approval from any of the service funding panels to make a referral to Careline. Rather, panels such as QAP may ask whether a Careline referral has been made, and if not then the reasons why assistive technology was considered not suitable.
• Practitioners can telephone Careline if they need to discuss a more complex case prior to making a referral.