Islington Council has approved the introduction of means-tested charges for assistive technology services, a decision that follows a previous budget agreement from the 2023/24 financial year.
The new charging model, which will come into effect following the meeting on Thursday, 22 October 2026, includes a 28-day free trial and no installation fee. Assistive technology includes equipment such as alarms, fall sensors, medication dispensers, and GPS trackers, all designed to help residents maintain independence at home and in the community, potentially delaying the need for long-term care.
Councillor Ruth Hayes, Executive Member for Health and Social Care and Deputy Leader of the Council, explained that the decision was influenced by public consultation feedback, which led to the adoption of the tiered model and the removal of an installation fee. Safeguards relating to affordability, financial assessment, individual review, safeguarding, and monitoring have also been reinforced.
Charges will be tiered based on the level of service received. Residents opting for a 'Monitoring Only' service will face a weekly charge of £4.87, while those requiring 'Monitoring and Response' services will be charged £9.69 per week.
Residents assessed as unable to contribute financially will continue to receive the service free of charge. This determination is made through a means-tested financial assessment carried out by staff within the Community Financial Resilience team. This assessment considers each person's circumstances, checks for entitlement to additional benefits or support, and takes into account relevant personal costs, including housing costs and disability-related expenditure.
The council anticipates that approximately two in five current users may continue to receive the service without charge, though the exact proportion will be determined after individual financial assessments are completed. The implementation plan indicates that letters to residents regarding charging and financial assessment will be sent from November 2026 to February 2027, with this process being ongoing for all new referrals.
Residents will be offered support to complete the financial assessment, which will be carried out by staff within the Community Financial Resilience team. While specific documentation is not detailed, the assessment will consider income, capital, housing costs, relevant disability-related expenditure, and individual circumstances. Residents will also be referred to the Council's income maximisation service (IMAX) where appropriate.
Charges will be collected through the Council's existing Adult Social Care Charging Policy. If a resident does not engage with the financial assessment, indicates inability or unwillingness to pay, or proposes to withdraw from the service, staff will attempt to understand their circumstances and support engagement. Before any service is withdrawn, an individual review will be conducted, considering needs, affordability, communication requirements, safeguarding, mental capacity, carer circumstances, and alternative support options. Concerns about increased risk will be escalated.
The introduction of these charges is expected to generate a net annual financial contribution in the range of £116,549 to £273,642. This figure is an estimate and depends on various factors including financial assessment outcomes, cancellations, service take-up, and collection performance.
The decision was made at an Executive meeting on Thursday, 22 October 2026. Decisions 22nd-Oct-2026 17.00 Executive