30 Years of TSA – Celebrating Three Decades of Leadership, Growth and Impact

We are delighted that this year, the TEC Services Association (TSA) marks its 30th anniversary — a milestone that reflects not just three decades of history, but three decades of driving progress, raising standards and transforming lives through technology enabled care (TEC).

What started in 1995 as a small association of community alarm providers is today the largest TEC network in Europe. TSA, through our assurance partner TEC Quality, is recognised nationally as the Standards Body for the sector, an influential voice at the heart of Government, and a growing international partner helping to shape how technology empowers people across the globe.

Roots and Early Years

TSA’s story began on 8 March 1995, with the founding of the Association of Social and Community Alarm Providers. Based in Kent, our mission was to promote professionalism, set standards, and give a national voice to a young but vital service.

In 2002, we rebranded as the Association of Social Alarm Providers (ASAP), reflecting the growth of the sector and its expanding role in setting and monitoring standards.

By 2005, the industry had evolved again, and the association became the Telecare Services Association, cementing its leadership role in the UK’s telecare landscape. Just three years later, TSA moved to a new headquarters in Wilmslow, near Manchester — a move that reflected our national reach and ambition.

 

 

A Bold New Identity

In 2015, TSA stepped onto the national stage with a full rebrand. No longer the Telecare Services Association, we became simply TSA, adopting the strapline “The Voice of Technology Enabled Care”. This wasn’t just a cosmetic change — it signalled a broader mission: to lead the growth of TEC by inspiring innovation, setting standards, and driving strategy to enhance people’s independence and quality of life.

The rebrand was a turning point. We expand our membership, built stronger partnerships, and began to influence national policy with a confidence and clarity that reflected the sector’s growing importance.

Leading the Digital Transition

Perhaps our most significant leadership role has come since 2017, guiding the sector through the UK’s analogue to digital switchover. This once-in-a-generation transition affects every service provider, supplier and commissioner, and millions of people who rely on TEC every day.

TSA has been at the forefront of this challenge — producing guidance, running pilots, publishing key reports, and working directly with Government, Ofcom and the telecoms industry to protect services and safeguard users.

Thanks to TSA’s leadership, the sector has been able to prepare with confidence, share learning, and take a united approach to one of the biggest shifts in its history.

 

 

Expanding Our Reach – At Home and Abroad

Over 30 years, TSA has grown from a small UK body to become the leading voice within the sector.

Our influence at the heart of Government has never been stronger, with TSA shaping strategies across health, housing and social care. Our partnerships with organisations such as ADASS, the LGA, the NHS and global associations have unlocked new opportunities and driven collective action across the sector.

And in 2025, TSA’s international footprint grew significantly, with new partnerships across Europe and North America. Today, TSA is sharing UK expertise globally and learning from international innovation, cementing its role as a convener and leader on the world stage.

The Conference Story – From Local Gathering to Global Platform

TSA’s annual conference has been a mirror of the sector’s growth — evolving from modest beginnings into the definitive international stage for TEC.

• 1999 – 2005: The Annual Conference – a member gathering focused on knowledge-sharing and early sector challenges.

• 2006: Rebranded The National Telecare Conference.

• 2007 – 2010: Further rebranded to The National Telecare and Telehealth Conference.

• 2011 – 2014: The International Telecare and Telehealth Conference.

• 2015: The first International Technology Enabled Care Conference (ITEC), held under TSA’s new branding. The final pre-ICC conference took place at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.

• 2016 – Present: ITEC has grown into the largest TEC event of its kind in Europe. Now attracting more than 2,000 attendees, ITEC is where ministers, senior government officials, thought leaders and innovators come together to shape the future of TEC.

Today, ITEC is not just a conference. It is the global platform where partnerships are forged, innovation is showcased, and the future direction of technology enabled care is set.

Policy Impact: Influence at the Heart of Government and the NHS

Over the past decade, TSA has grown into a trusted partner for Government and the NHS, ensuring that the voice of our members and the people they support is heard where it matters most. From shaping national strategies to being directly cited in reports and frameworks, our influence has never been stronger.

Policy & Strategy

• TSA evidence was included in the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee’s 2022 report, which highlighted the role of technology in enabling independence and supporting people at home.
In 2023, TSA partnered with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) to publish the TEC Action Alliance Blueprint, a sector-defining document that continues to inform government and commissioner thinking on proactive and preventative care. This Blueprint was cited in Parliamentary discussions and in Local Government Association (LGA) briefings.
TSA has been a leading advisor on the analogue to digital switchover, working directly with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), Ofcom, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and telecoms providers. Our publications and guidance have been referenced in official government communications to local authorities and care providers.

NHS Collaboration

• TSA was cited in the NHS Ten Year Plan (2025) as a key partner in embedding technology to support people at home, particularly through remote monitoring and proactive care.
• Through our work on the Proactive and Preventative Care Programme, TSA has directly influenced NHS England’s approach to digital social care, shaping how Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) build TEC into pathways.
• TSA’s Quality Standards Framework (QSF) has been endorsed by NHS bodies as a benchmark for safe, high-quality TEC delivery, with commissioners encouraged to use it when procuring services.

Local Government & Housing

TSA guidance on digital transition has been referenced by the Local Government Association (LGA) and distributed widely to councils preparing for the PSTN switch-off.
Our thought leadership is cited in UK Housing LIN reports, emphasising the role of TEC in creating safe and connected homes.

National Recognition

TSA leaders have been invited to give evidence at Parliamentary Select Committees and to contribute directly to government taskforces on digital health, social care reform and housing.
Ministers and senior civil servants now regularly attend and speak at ITEC, underlining TSA’s role as the convening voice of the sector.

Wider Sector Support:

S​tate of the Sector 2024

Stronger Than Ever

As TSA celebrates its 30th year, our organisation is stronger than ever. Membership is growing, engagement is at an all-time high, and our partnerships span government, local authorities, health, housing, and global innovators.

For 30 years, TSA has set the pace for an evolving industry — raising standards, guiding through change, and ensuring that TEC remains focused on what matters most: enriching lives, supporting independence, and strengthening communities.

Looking Ahead

The next chapter for TSA is one of opportunity. With the digital switchover accelerating, new technologies emerging, and international collaboration expanding, TSA is committed to leading the way — ensuring that TEC not only keeps pace with change but actively drives it.

For three decades, TSA has been more than an association. It has been a driver of transformation, a convener of voices, and the trusted voice of a sector that touches millions of lives.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, one thing is certain: the best is still to come.