At Anglicare Victoria (AV) our focus is on transforming the futures of children and young people, families and adults. Our work is based on three guiding pillars, Prevent, Protect, and Empower. We offer a comprehensive network of services and seek to ensure the provision of high-quality services that will bring about significant improvements in the life experience of the young people, children and families/caregivers with whom we work. 

In joining AV, you will be part of a positive work culture with access to professional development training, paid study leave, and opportunities for career progression in one of the largest community service organisations in Victoria. 

We are committed to supporting the health, wellbeing and resilience of our staff. You will have access to a range of free wellbeing activities including yoga and meditation, discounted health insurance and access to our Employee Assistance Program.   

The Team 

Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is an intensive family and community-based intervention focused on supporting young people aged 11-17, who have severe challenging behaviours, including offending, who are at risk of entry, or have recently entered, into the Out of Home Care system. MST uses an ecological approach to promote behaviour change in the young person’s natural environment, addressing the multiple known causes of serious antisocial behaviour. MST practitioners work across all the key settings impacting a young person, including family, peers, school and community, to effect lasting change. MST aims to empower parents and carers with the skills and resources needed to independently address the difficulties arising from raising teenagers, and to empower young people to cope with the family, peer, school, and community problems they encounter. 

MST is part of AV’s approach to the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing’s (DFFH) state-wide initiative to support Family Preservation & Reunification (FPR).  

This Role 

Extensive research has proven the effectiveness of MST. MST practitioners work flexibly and in close collaboration with all involved, to address the needs of at-risk young people in pursuit of family preservation or family reunification.  You will empower families to address challenging and/or problematic behaviour and make life-transforming changes. Treatment progress is made through intensive interventions such as skill-building, changing unhelpful family interactions, and increasing social support, to name a few. 

The successful applicant will receive ongoing training in the Multisystemic Therapy (MST) model as you work with families, youth, their communities, and other key members of their ecology to implement MST as designed. 

Role Requirements  

To be successful in this position you will need:  

• A 4 year degree in Social Work, or Psychology. A degree in a related field (including counselling, family/systems therapy etc.) will be considered alongside relevant experience. (Refer to Position Description for overseas qualifications) 
• The ability to demonstrate competency against the knowledge, skills and personal qualities outlined on page 2 of the Position Description – such as: 

• conduct systemic assessments  
• demonstrated problem solving and analytical skills particularly in relation to developing hypotheses to explain the referred client behaviour. 
• knowledge of family/care giver systems theory and interventions and behavioural and cognitive behavioural therapies 
• engage in peer supervision and receive robust feedback 
• planning and delivering evidence based interventions 
• experience working with marginalised, minority and difficult to engage young people and/or their families 
• effectively manage caseload and documentation requirements 

• The ability to perform work outside of standard office hours to service the needs of clients 
• The ability to particpate in an on-call roster system as required 
• A current Victorian driver’s license and Working with Children Check and be prepared to undergo Criminal History Check(s) prior to commencement 

For the full requirements please read the Position Description here:  Position Description – Practitioner (AVAW P FPR MST 2021V3).pdf

 To Apply 

Complete an online application via the AV careers page, attaching three documents: a resume, a cover letter and a short response addressing the Key Selection Criteria (no more than 2 pages in total). 

For further enquiries please contact Andy Bowmar, MST Supervisor or Amanda Thomas, Program Manager on 51359555

Applications close: 23 October 2022

Anglicare Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country.

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Anglicare Victoria and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this.  Everyone is welcome at Anglicare Victoria, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and physical ability.