Community Alarm Service

The Community Alarm Service (CAS) was established in 1983 to provide support and security to elderly and vulnerable residents.

There are approximately 2,200 connections to our control centre. 1,000 are ‘dispersed alarms’, which are installed into individual properties and the remaining 1,200 are ‘hard-wired’ alarms installed in Sheltered Housing schemes.

CAS is the only seven days a week 24-hour service in the borough that is available to help people with high dependency levels or considered ‘at risk’ from dangers such as domestic violence.

This following article answers questions you may have about the Community Alarm Service.

For translations of the information on this page please click here

For more information, please contact us on 020 7605 6509 or email TCommunityAlarmsService@kctmo.org.uk.

Alternatively, please download this information leaflet about the Community Alarm Service [PDF] (919 kb).

Who can use the Community Alarm Service?

Anyone can be connected to the Community Alarm Services for a fee; further details are below.

Certain vulnerable groups may have their access to CAS funded by third parties such as Social Services, charities and Community Safety teams.

Why does the Community Alarm Service exist?

There are times when it can be worrying being alone. The alarm can bring peace of mind and be used inside your home during the day or at night to send for help for various reasons such as:

• If you want reassurance
• If you have an accident or incident inside your home
• If you suffer a medical emergency
• If you suffer from harassment
• If you have experienced/witnessed a crime
• If you have suffered Domestic Violence
• If you suffer from antisocial behaviour
• If you are a victim of bogus callers

These and many other situations cause anxiety and distress not only for the person involved but also for your family and friends. The service is there to provide support and advice to put your mind at rest.

How does it work?

Community alarm services have two main elements: a means of calling for help and a reliable prompt response to the call.

Calling for help:

The communication equipment in a user’s home has two parts: a small portable trigger, which is worn around their home (usually worn as a cord round the neck) and an alarm base unit.

When a button on the portable trigger is pressed, it sends a radio signal to the alarm unit - which also has a built in call button. The unit is programmed to dial one of our operators at the communications centre. This works through an ordinary telephone network.

Having pushed a button, the user can then speak with the operator. The user is identified on our database, and we are able to call for an ambulance or arrange assistance for you, should you need it.

For more information, please download this information leaflet on the sensors available [PDF] (303kb).

Sending help

Our operators will assess each caller's individual and immediate needs. This may involve paying you a visit to provide physical aid and/or providing other professionals with a key to access your home to help you if, for example, you have fallen.

Our operators can also arrange for a family member or friend to visit you, or talk through any problems that you may have.

What response is provided?

CAS offers two types of service: a Monitoring Service and a Visiting Service.

Monitoring service

When you subscribe to the Monitoring Service we do not hold your keys. Therefore, if you required assistance, we would make referrals to, say, a neighbour, porter, police, or emergency service, with your agreement at the time.

When you subscribe to this service you will need to nominate a minimum of 2-3 named responders who can hold a key and who can be contacted to respond to an emergency.

Visiting service

When you use the Visiting Service, we are a key holder. So, if you did not respond to us after having pressed the alarm, we would visit you home to assess the situation. If required, we would make arrangements for theEmergency Services to attend.

How much does it cost?

Monthly charge = £23.00 (VAT ex.)

Monthly charge = £27.03 (VAT inc.)

The Monitoring Service

Monthly charge = £13.00 (VAT ex.)

Monthly charge = £15.26 (VAT inc.)

How do you pay for the service?

It is easiest to pay for the service conveniently by setting up a Standing Order. To do this, please download and complete a copy of the Standing Order Form [PDF] (747 kb).

You can also pay by sending us a cheque or postal order.

Complaints, Compliments and Suggestions

We want to provide good-quality services for everyone, but things can go wrong. If they do, we need to know so we can put them right and learn from them.

If there are any aspects of our services that you are particularly happy with, please let us know so that we can ensure we continue what we are doing.

Feedback and suggestions are always welcomed and we take pride in involving users in the decisions we make in the running of the service.

What do I do if I am unhappy with one of your services?

You can complain by telephone and an officer will log the details and we will respond within two working days: 020 7605 6509.

If you wish to make an official complaint, please visit the Complaints Section of our website for further information about how you can do this.

How do you obtain a Community Alarm?

Simply contact the Community Alarm Service team on 020 7605 6509 or email TCommunityAlarmsService@kctmo.org.uk. Please provide the following details: your name, date of birth, telephone number, address, the reason you need the alarm.

We will try to make an appointment to visit within two working days.

On visiting, we will show you how the alarm works and answer any questions.

If you need an interpreter or sign language interpreter we can arrange this for you.

Application forms

• If you are interested in applying for the basic CAS Service with an alarm unit and pendant, please complete the Standard CAS Application Form [doc]

• Social workers and occupational therapists wishing to make a referral, please complete the Telecare referral Application form [doc]