Combined Accommodation Scheme

The Combined Accommodation Scheme (CAS) has been set up to better meet the needs of young people, foster carers and supportive lodgings providers in the community. The CAS works in partnership with other teams in Social Services to support young people.

The vision of the CAS is to provide a consistent and stable experience for young people in the community who are or have been in foster care by offering continuity of care and accommodation. To provide accommodation and support to young people (aged 16-18 years) in the community who find themselves homeless.

Our aim is to recruit, assess and provide ongoing support to people in the community who wish to provide foster care/supportive lodgings for young people. The CAS works in partnership with other agencies that support foster carers/supportive lodgings providers in their role, focused on the best interests of the young people. The CAS aims to improve the health, education and lifetime opportunities for these young people.

The CAS welcomes couples, families and single people, who are able to value, respect, encourage and listen to young people and be approachable for them. The CAS needs people who can promote young people into independence and care for them at the same time. Some young people say that the turning point in their lives has come when they have experienced a positive relationship with someone who cares about them as an individual through the bad times.

Some young people have difficulties in valuing themselves and have a low self-esteem due to lack of positive interest in them in their pasts. It can take years of showing an interest in a young person and valuing them for who they are before they can start to value themselves and therefore believe that they are worth something and have something to offer in life. It must be remembered that some young people have never experienced positive parenting and may not fit your ideal experiences of what is acceptable behaviour and/or achievements.

The assessment procedure involves taking out personal references and a medical reference in addition to undertaking formal checks with the Criminal Records Bureau (renewed every three years). A CAS social/support worker will visit your home to discuss the scheme and answer any questions. They will also carry out a risk assessment of your home to ensure it meets the health and safety standards required.

Training is an essential part of the support you will receive from the CAS team. The CAS team recognises the need for relevant training to meet the specific needs of adolescents. Young people require varying levels of support; some may only need someone to turn when they are experiencing difficulties. However, it is important to show a positive interest in any young person. Amongst other things some young people may need assistance with housing related/life skills support (e.g. budgeting, hygiene, and cooking).

Support is ongoing through an allocated worker from the CAS team. The Isle of Wight Council also operates an emergency Out of Hours Service. Regular support visits will enable you to discuss any concerns. Payments/Allowances are made according to the young person’s age and status.

The answers to some common questions can be found by following the link below:-

Frequently Asked Questions

If this section does not answer your query, please feel free to call the CAS team on 01983 566011.

If you are interested in the Combined Accommodation Scheme please contact us by clicking on the link below

Combined Accommodation Scheme (CAS)

Alternatively you can telephone us on 01983 566011 or write to:

Seamus McGonigle
C.A.S. Coordinator
Social Services Centre
Ryde Town Hall
Lind Street
Ryde
Isle of Wight


For additional information you can visit: -

http://www.wightchyps.org.uk/