At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver Multi systemic Therapy (MST) interventions to families facing child abuse and neglect.
- Company: Join a collaborative effort between Flintshire and Wrexham councils, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, receive ongoing training, and contribute to meaningful social change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families' lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; relevant experience in therapy or social work is a plus.
- Other info: This role includes a 24/7 on-call service and is part of a funded pilot program.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Job Description
To deliver comprehensive Multi systemic Therapy (MST) child abuse and neglect (CAN) interventions in North-East Wales, according to the specifications and requirements set out in the MST License. These will address the family safety, parenting skills and underlying difficulties in adults and children, such as substance misuse and past experience of trauma. Work will be undertaken in the family and community setting under the supervision of the MST-CAN supervisor and MST-CAN consultant. MST-CAN is a therapeutic approach requiring intensive work with families at their home for up to 9 months This work is undertaken with families with complex needs where there is a child, or children aged 6-17 who is subject to a child protection plan following an incident of child abuse and neglect and where there is a risk of them entering care.
Responsibilities:
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To increase the numbers of children and young people aged 6-17 who can remain safely at home.
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To ensure the delivery of MST-CAN interventions to between 3 or 4 families up to 9 months’ time scale.
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To ensure that the fidelity of the MST-CAN programme is maintained at all times.
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To develop inter-agency partnerships that promote the inclusion of socially excluded young people on the edge of care and custody.
Flintshire County Council in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCU) and supported by MST UK & Ireland, are part of a funded pilot programme from the Youth Endowment Fund which is running from October 2024 to September 2026. This pilot will have an external evaluation led by Universities of Kent and Teesside.
Principal Accountabilities
- To provide a comprehensive MST-CAN service to both children and families plus the systems around them, across North-East Wales managing a caseload of 3-4 families at any one time for a period between 6-9 months approx.
- To demonstrate adherence to the MST-CAN Model and implement MST-CAN under the guidance of the MST-CAN Supervisor and external MST-CAN Consultant, actively participate in ongoing MST-CAN training and supervision.
- To be part of a rota offering a 24/7 on-call service directly to families during the evenings and weekends.
- To communicate, in a highly skilled and sensitive manner, complex information which may be contentious or distressing to families and young people and to ensure that information and advice is provided to other professionals, families and carers.
- To undertake assessments of needs of families and young people and deliver the appropriate support to meet the assessed needs, using evidence based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural, behavioural and structural or strategic Family Therapy, in line with the MST-CAN model, to achieve the desired outcomes.
- Identify, assess and contribute to the reduction of risk in areas of responsibility.
- To regularly review, evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of the service delivered to families with the Supervisor and link with other providers/agencies where appropriate with the support of the family/young person.
- To participate in monitoring and research procedures designed to evaluate the impact of MST-CAN and respond appropriately to feedback. Including collaborating with the external evaluation team appointed by the Youth Endowment Fund.
- In the light of changing circumstances ensure service users continue to receive appropriate support to meet their needs through the development of informal and formal social supports.
- Establish links and maintain knowledge of services across North East Wales, and develop effective working relationships with other statutory and non-statutory Teams – e.g. CAMHS, Adult Mental Health, Children’s Social Care and Education colleagues, and other relevant agencies active in the same area, so that work with service users makes use of all available resources
- Develop and promote MST-CAN to extend and improve the range of community support services available to local serve users from all sources and to have a good knowledge of what else is available to the target group and their families
MST-CAN Therapist employer: Flintshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Flintshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land MST-CAN Therapist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the MST-CAN model and its principles. Understanding the core components of Multi-Systemic Therapy will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're committed to delivering effective interventions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in child protection and family therapy sectors in North-East Wales. Building relationships with local agencies can provide insights into the community's needs and may lead to valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with complex family dynamics and trauma-informed care. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully worked with families facing similar challenges, as this will highlight your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and research in child welfare and therapeutic practices. Showing that you are informed about the latest developments in the field can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.
We think you need these skills to ace MST-CAN Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the MST-CAN Model: Familiarize yourself with the Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) approach and its specific requirements for child abuse and neglect interventions. This will help you tailor your application to demonstrate your understanding of the model.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize any previous experience working with families in crisis, particularly in child protection or therapeutic settings. Mention specific skills related to family therapy, risk assessment, and inter-agency collaboration.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires sensitive communication with families, provide examples in your application that illustrate your ability to convey complex information clearly and compassionately. This could include past experiences where you successfully navigated difficult conversations.
Demonstrate Commitment to Continuous Learning: Mention your willingness to engage in ongoing training and supervision as part of the MST-CAN program. Highlight any relevant certifications or training you've completed that align with the therapeutic approaches mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at Flintshire County Council
✨Understand the MST-CAN Model
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) model and its application in child abuse and neglect interventions. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement this model in real-life scenarios, especially in complex family situations.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
Since the role involves working closely with families facing distressing situations, showcase your ability to communicate sensitively and effectively. Prepare examples of how you've handled difficult conversations or provided support in challenging circumstances.
✨Highlight Your Experience with Inter-Agency Collaboration
The job requires developing partnerships with various agencies. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in collaborating with other professionals, such as social workers or mental health teams, and how you can leverage these relationships to benefit families.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risk. Think about specific cases you've encountered in the past and how you approached them, focusing on outcomes and lessons learned.