Beyond Housing’s HomeCall service has been accredited to industry standard with a Telecare Services Association (TSA) Quality Standards Framework Award.
The Quality Standards Framework has been developed as an independent audit and certification programme for the technology enabled care industry. The Framework replaces the former TSA Code of Practice – to which HomeCall was previously accredited.
The Quality Standards Framework looks at the service as part of the wider business and confirms that the service provided is of high quality and puts service-users at the heart of its operations. Sister company Coastcall, based in the Scarborough area, achieved the Quality Standards Framework at its assessment in 2019.
HomeCall offers a range of technology enabled care services across the north east, helping older, disabled or vulnerable people to remain living independently in their own homes for longer. This includes telecare and assistive technologies, with a 24/7 monitoring service and various sensors that are wearable or placed in the home, which allow the user to raise the alarm to a responder should they need help.
An audit of Beyond Housing’s independent living service took place over several days, looking at aspects including governance, disaster recovery, ethics, customer feedback and colleague operations. The auditor spent time observing call handling, attended an installation and was briefed on plans for the development of the independent living service – which includes plans to bring Beyond Housing’s HomeCall, Coastcall and Hambleton Lifeline independent living services together under one brand, delivering the services to customers throughout the north east and North Yorkshire.
Jason Lowe, Head of Independent & Supported Living at Beyond Housing said: “HomeCall is vital to many people to support them to live as independently as possible.
“This award is testament to the hard work of everyone providing the HomeCall service to our more vulnerable customers. It’s fantastic to receive independent verification of the quality of our care and support provision, which acts as a critical support to the NHS, emergency services and social care sector.
“I am delighted and very proud of everyone involved.”