MST-CAN Therapist

About the role:

• Full-time permanent position, located in Coffs Harbour NSW
• Base annual rate $106,595 to $112,988 negotiable based on experience & qualifications plus shift loading/on-call allowances if applicable

• 12% super plus access to generous NFP salary packaging options

About the opportunity:

At Uniting, we believe every child deserves to be safe, supported and given the opportunity to thrive. As an MST-CAN Therapist, you'll work with families facing some of life's most complex challenges, delivering evidence-based therapeutic intervention that creates meaningful and lasting change.

This is more than a clinical role. It's an opportunity to be part of a passionate, multidisciplinary team committed to strengthening families, improving child safety, and breaking cycles of abuse and neglect.

If you're an experienced therapist who is driven by purpose, thrives in community-based practice, and is willing to meet families where they are, we'd love to hear from you.

As an MST-CAN Therapist, you will provide intensive therapeutic support to families in their homes and communities, working collaboratively with caregivers, children, DCJ, schools, health providers and other stakeholders to achieve positive long-term outcomes.

This role offers extensive training, ongoing clinical supervision, consultation and professional development within a highly regarded evidence-based therapeutic model.

About the program:

Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is an intensive, evidence-based, home-based treatment model for families with children aged 0–17 years where there are concerns relating to physical abuse and/or neglect.

MST-CAN works across family, school, peer and community systems to create sustainable change and improve safety outcomes for children and young people.

We welcome clinicians at different stages of their careers- more importantly to targeting candidates that are passionate about developing their clinical skills. Some of our strongest candidates may be newer practitioners who are highly motivated to learn, genuinely value feedback and are excited by intensive supervision and professional development.

One of the greatest strengths of MST-CAN is the breadth and quality of training, supervision and consultation provided through both Uniting and MST Services. Clinicians receive structured training in evidence-based treatment modalities and ongoing supervision including trauma treatment, substance use treatment, family therapy, cognitive behavioural interventions and working with complex family presentations. This is a unique opportunity to develop advanced clinical skills in a supported environment.

The role is demanding, but practitioners are supported through regular supervision, consultation, team collaboration and a strong culture of learning, helping you develop confidence while working with complex families.

What you’ll be doing:

• Deliver home and community-based therapeutic interventions to families involved in the child protection system.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and develop treatment plans linked to child safety risks and referral concerns.
• Engage caregivers and family members in change-focused therapeutic work.
• Apply evidence-based family therapy, behavioural and cognitive behavioural interventions.
• Collaborate with schools, health services, DCJ and other key stakeholders to support treatment goals.
• Facilitate treatment planning, implementation and ongoing review using the MST-CAN model framework.
• Maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical documentation.
• Participate in MST-CAN training, supervision, consultation and fidelity monitoring processes.
• Build and maintain strong community and stakeholder relationships.
• Respond effectively to complex family circumstances, crises and risk concerns.
• Support culturally safe and inclusive practice for Aboriginal families and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Contribute positively to a high-performing, collaborative team environment.

Your Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Counselling or a related discipline or bachelor’s degree in psychology with current AHPRA registration.
• Experience delivering family-based therapeutic interventions
• Strong understanding of child protection practice and family safety planning
• Knowledge of family systems, social ecological theories and evidence-based therapeutic approaches
• Experience working with children, young people and vulnerable families
• Ability to manage complex cases and crisis situations
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organisational and time-management abilities
• Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel throughout the service area – pool car provided
• Current NSW WWCC
• The MST-CAN program operates between 6:00am and 8:00pm, Monday to Sunday, and successful candidates must be available to work in person across this operating window when operationally required. Core hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Rotating on call roster where clinician provides on call support outside of business hours and on weekends. 

Benefits and culture

Working to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice brings its own rewards, but there’s more.

• Welcoming you exactly as you are
• Access to generous NFP salary packaging options
• ...