MST-CAN Therapist

Wandiyali is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation established in Awabakal (Newcastle) in 1997. As the largest accredited Aboriginal provider of Permanency Support Program (PSP) Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) services across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Region and Port Stephens, Wandiyali is committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed and community-led supports for Aboriginal children, young people and families.

In addition to OOHC services, Wandiyali delivers a broad range of Family Preservation and community support programs, working in partnership with children, young people, families and communities to achieve safe, culturally strong and sustainable outcomes.

The Opportunity

Multi-systemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN) is an evidenced based program designed to treat 6-17 year-olds and their families who have come to the attention of child protective services due to physical abuse and/ or neglect. MST-CAN works with the family ecology and is effective in improving family connections, ensuring the safety of children and young people, preventing abuse and neglect, reducing mental health issues experienced by adults and children and increasing natural social supports to reduce the risk of children and young people entering the out-of-home care system.

 

The Benefits

As a Wandi Therapist, you will benefit with additional career development supports including, 

• 5 weeks of annual leave
• Monthly professional supervision, 
• Ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement.
• Company-assigned vehicle 

 

You will have the options to reduce tax and cost of living expenses through,

• Salary Sacrifice packaging of up to $15,900 each FBT year
• Meal and Entertainment Salary Sacrifice of up to $2,650 each FBT year
• Employee Benefits programs providing discounts on a large variety of consumer services and products.

If you are looking for a career that is dedicated to truly making positive change and you have experience working with Aboriginal children, young people, families, or communities we would like to hear from you.

 

How to Apply

Please note a current WWCC, National Police Check (completed in the last 12 months), First Aid certificate including CPR, and a current Driver's License (P1 or above) is required prior to the successful applicant's start date.

For this position please attach:

• A current resume
•  A cover letter introducing yourself, and an overview of your experience working with vulnerable children and families in the context of Child Protection or the Community Services Sector.

Closing date: 5.00 pm Friday 19 June 2026.

Please note applications may close earlier than the stated date, if a suitable applicant is found.

For further information please contact;

Talana Kilroy

Senior People & Culture Officer 4957 5900 or talana@wandiyali.com.au

Essential criteria;

• A commitment to the Vision, Mission and Values of our Organisation
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent or proven experience working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander families and community
• An awareness of Aboriginal Culture and the issues faced by them and people from CALD backgrounds that may impact on parental roles, family and community relationships.
• Demonstrated experience working in child protection sector, including working with vulnerable families where there are risk factors that include but are not limited to, domestic violence, substance use, mental health, physical abuse and neglect and education neglect.
• Demonstrated compassion towards and understanding of the holistic needs of children and families affected by trauma with experience working within a trauma informed practice model.
• A solid understanding of child development and milestones, issues affecting vulnerable & disadvantaged families, and extensive experience in supporting parents and families to enhance parenting capacity.
• Experience in individual therapy with children and adults using cognitive behavioural techniques
• Experience in behavioural therapy targeting behavioural change in children at home and school
• Experience in the implementation of interventions within or between systems in the child or young person’s natural ecology that affect or influence the behaviour of the child (i.e., family, peer, school, and neighbourhood)
• High-level interpersonal skills relating to effective communication, attention to detail, ability to inspire others and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Demonstrated capacity to work independently, in family’s homes and as a part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with relevant government and non-government professionals, community groups, services and agencies
• Knowledge about resources available in the community and the ability to connect families to those resources
• Excellent time management skills
• High level of skill in report writing
• Intermediate level of computer skills
• Flexibility to be available outside of core business hours in performing duties.

Education

• Completed or currently studying Master of Clinical Psychology or Master of Social Work
• Registered Psychologist, Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Psychology, Allied Health, Education or Social Science PLUS relevant experience

Knowledge (Preferred)

• Knowledge of Evidence Based Models and their application
• Family systems theory and application
• Social ecological theory and application
• Behavioural therapies theory and application
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy theory and application particularly in the areas of trauma treatment and anger management