Sutton and Richmond Councils are deploying in-home sensors to improve the safety of vulnerable residents living in social housing. The technology unobtrusively monitors residents and provides carers with early alerts on issues such as potential accidents or declining health.
The Councils, as part of the InnOvaTe project, together with IoT Solutions Group, are piloting 200 in-home sensors across Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) and Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) properties.
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, demand for social care support has increased. As people continue to contract the virus, need to self-isolate or shield and as more people suffer adverse mental health impacts as a result of illness and isolation, this demand is expected to grow further.
This new technology delivers automated, real-time insight about how active an individual is in their own home. If there is a drop in activity levels, automated alerts notify carers or Independent Living Officers, allowing them to respond urgently, rather than waiting for the next visit or relying on the resident to make contact. In addition to these warnings of potential illness or accident, the sensors can help identify fuel poverty risk, providing the opportunity to prevent further issues before they arise.
No visual or audio recording takes place and no personal data is collected, ensuring total privacy for the resident in their home.
"We are committed to explore new ways in which we can harness technology to improve the care services delivered within Sutton, while also saving taxpayers' money. We have taken learnings from the previous lockdown and we are excited to work closely with IoT Solutions Group and Sutton Housing Partnership to support the way in which we manage our social care teams." - Councillor Sunita Gordon, Lead Member for Finance and Resources, Sutton Council
"Richmond Council's digital strategy is all about benefiting residents through practical uses of new technology. This project is a great example - improving the care that we offer at the same time as helping our service to be more efficient, keeping costs down." - Councillor Robin Brown, Lead Member for Finance and Resources, Richmond Council
"We are excited to be working with Sutton and Richmond councils to enhance their social care provision. We know how much pressure social care services are under at this time and how concerned relatives are about the well-being of family members they aren't able to visit. We know that this solution helps provide early response to service users who require additional support." - Emma Mahy, CEO of IoT Solutions Group
"This is great news for our residents and we are pleased to be working with Sutton Council to support social care provision and enhance independent living in the borough. The pilot will make a real difference to the lives of older residents most in need." - Steve Tucker, Managing Director, Sutton Housing Partnership
About the InnOvaTe Project
South London Partnership is working with London Councils to deliver an exciting and innovative "Internet of Things" (IoT) project across the five south London Councils of Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. This initiative is funded by the Strategic Investment Pot (SIP) as part of the London Councils Business Rates Retention scheme, administered by the City of London Corporation.