At a Glance
- Tasks: Join the MST-CAN Team to deliver intensive therapy for families facing child abuse and neglect.
- Company: Flintshire County Council collaborates with Wrexham and BCU to support vulnerable families in North-East Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy 34-41 days of annual leave, hybrid work options, and access to development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping families stay together and improving children's safety and mental health.
- Qualifications: Welsh speaking skills are desirable; experience in therapy or social work is a plus.
- Other info: This role is part of a funded pilot program running from October 2024 to September 2026.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an MST-CAN Therapist to join the newly developed MST-CAN Team, to deliver comprehensive Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) interventions in North- East Wales.
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.
MST-CAN is a therapeutic approach requiring intensive work with families at their homes for up to nine months. This work is undertaken with complex cases where there is a child or young person aged 6 – 17 living at home who are subject to a Child Protection Plan due to child abuse and neglect and who is at risk of entering care.
MST-CAN works to address specific problems and risk factors that brought the family to the attention of Children’s Services. The major goals are to keep families together, assure that children are safe, prevent abuse and neglect and reduce mental health difficulties experienced by adults and children, including addressing the impact of past trauma and increase natural support networks.
MST-CAN adopts an intensive approach (numerous sessions per week) and works with families in their natural ecology (their home, school and wider community) rather than in a clinical setting. Appointments are made to meet the family’s needs and an MST-CAN Practitioner is available 24/7 to all families in treatment through an on-call rota.
Welsh speaking and writing skills are desirable.
As one of the largest employers in Flintshire, we offer a minimum of 34 days’ (pro rata) annual leave including bank holidays, increasing up to 41 days (pro rata)
Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
Generous family friendly and work-life balance schemes
Hybrid working (role specific)
Access to a range of development opportunities
Free employee assistance programme (EAP)
Cycle to Work Scheme
Discounts across UK retailers.
Application closing date 12/03/2025
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £37,938.00-£40,476.00 per year
Benefits:
Company pension
Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person
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 Multisystemic Therapy (MST) principles and practices. Understanding the core concepts of MST-CAN will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of child protection and therapy. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to connect with others who may have insights into the MST-CAN approach and the specific needs of families in North-East Wales.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any experience you have working with families in crisis or with complex cases. Be prepared to discuss specific examples during your interview that showcase your skills in managing challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
If you are Welsh speaking, make sure to emphasize this skill. Being able to communicate effectively with families in their preferred language can be a significant advantage in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace MST-CAN Therapist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly understand the MST-CAN Therapist role. Familiarize yourself with Multisystemic Therapy and its application in child abuse and neglect cases, as well as the specific goals of the program.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize any relevant experience you have in therapeutic settings, particularly with families facing complex challenges. Mention any specific training or certifications related to child protection or trauma-informed care.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your skills that align with the job description, such as your ability to work intensively with families, your communication skills, and your capacity to provide support in various environments (home, school, community).
Demonstrate Cultural Competence: If you are Welsh speaking, be sure to mention this in your application. Highlight any experience you have working with diverse communities or understanding cultural nuances in therapy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Flintshire County Council
✨Understand MST-CAN Principles
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) approach, especially how it applies to child abuse and neglect. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement these principles in real-life scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Experience with Families
Highlight any previous experience working with families in crisis or with complex cases. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to engage with families and address their unique needs.
✨Emphasize Flexibility and Availability
Since the role requires intensive work and availability for families 24/7, be ready to discuss your flexibility and commitment to meeting families where they are. This could include your willingness to work evenings or weekends.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Competence
If you speak Welsh, make sure to mention this as it is desirable for the role. Additionally, show your understanding of cultural sensitivities and how they impact family dynamics and therapy.