Development of MST in Wales

North-East Wales (NEW) MST Cymru

Betsi Cadwalladr University Health Board, Flintshire and Wrexham Local Authorities are working in partnership to deliver MST in North-East Wales using Welsh Government Transformation Funding.

Multisystemic Therapy is a licensed therapeutic intervention more commonly known as MST. It originated in the USA and is based upon the Socio Ecological theories of Bronfenbrenner and the Causal Model developed by Elliott (1983). Today it has an international evidence base and is used with families in countries across the world. 

MST targets the families of 11 to 17 year olds who are presenting with antisocial behaviours, possibly having involvement of Youth Justice Services and the Police, violent incidents, substance misuse, running away and generally creating a very difficult and out of control family life.

An MST Team consists of one Supervisor and 4 Therapists all of whom have to undertake a significant and thorough interview process before becoming appointed. They also need to be educated to at least Degree level and have substantial experience of working with families. The team receive an initial orientation training of a 5 day period by MST Experts, with the Supervisor having an extra 2 days training. Further training occurs ‘on the job’ via weekly clinical supervision, clinician development  meetings and quarterly ‘booster’ training.

There are also several adaptations of  the standard MST model such as MST-CAN for child abuse and neglect and MST-FIT (Family integrated transitions) for returning young people home from care and custody placements. 

There are currently 3 MST teams operating in North-East Wales: MST, MST-CAN and MST-FIT.

Unlike many other interventions, MST only requires at least one willing significant adult to agree to participate. The referred child does not need to consent for the intervention to be delivered. This is due to MST working with the family member/s to change how they manage and control the eco systems around the young person’s behaviours.

Referrals are made via a child’s social worker and the process can be discussed with the MST Supervisor.

 

MST Gogledd-ddwyrain Cymru

Mae Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr, Awdurdodau Lleol Sir y Fflint a Wrecsam yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth i ddarparu MST yng Ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru gan ddefnyddio Cyllid Trawsnewid Llywodraeth Cymru.

Mae Therapi Amlsystemig yn ymyrraeth therapiwtig trwyddedig a elwir yn fwy cyffredin fel MST. Mae'n tarddu yn UDA ac mae'n seiliedig ar ddamcaniaethau Ecolegol Cymdeithasol Bronfenbrenner a'r Model Achosol a ddatblygwyd gan Elliott (1983). Heddiw mae ganddo sylfaen dystiolaeth ryngwladol ac fe'i defnyddir gyda theuluoedd mewn gwledydd ledled y byd.

Mae MST yn targedu teuluoedd a phobl ifanc 11 i 17 oed sy'n ymddangos ymddygiadau gwrthgymdeithasol, o bosibl yn ymwneud â'r Gwasanaethau Cyfiawnder Ieuenctid a'r Heddlu, digwyddiadau treisgar, camddefnyddio sylweddau, rhedeg i ffwrdd ac yn gyffredinol creu bywyd teuluol anodd iawn ac allan o reolaeth.

Mae Tîm MST yn cynnwys un Goruchwyliwr a phedwar Therapydd y mae'n rhaid iddynt ymgymryd â phroses gyfweld sylweddol a thrwyadl cyn cael eu penodi. Mae angen iddynt hefyd gael eu haddysgu i lefel Gradd o leiaf a bod ganddynt brofiad sylweddol o weithio gyda theuluoedd. Mae'r tîm yn derbyn hyfforddiant cyfeiriadedd cychwynnol o gyfnod o bum diwrnod gan Arbenigwyr MST. Mae’r  Goruchwyliwr yn cael hyfforddiant dau ddiwrnod ychwanegol. Mae hyfforddiant pellach yn digwydd 'yn y gwaith' trwy oruchwyliaeth glinigol wythnosol, cyfarfodydd datblygu clinigol a hyfforddiant 'atgyfnerthu' chwarterol.

Mae yna hefyd sawl addasiad o'r model MST safonol fel MST-CAN ar gyfer cam-drin ac esgeulustod plant ac MST-FIT (Trawsnewidiadau integredig teuluol) ar gyfer pobl ifanc sy'n dychwelyd adref o leoliadau gofal a chadw.

Ar hyn o bryd mae tri thîm MST yn gweithredu yng Ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru: MST, MST-CAN ac MST-FIT.

Yn wahanol i lawer o ymyriadau eraill, mae MST yn gofyn am o leiaf un oedolyn sylweddol parod i gytuno i gymryd rhan. Nid oes angen i'r plentyn a atgyweiriwyd cydsynio i'r ymyrraeth gael ei chyflawni. Mae hyn oherwydd bod MST yn gweithio gyda'r aelod o'r teulu i newid sut maen nhw'n rheoli ac yn rheoli'r ecosystemau o amgylch ymddygiad y person ifanc.

Gwneir atgyfeiriadau trwy Weithiwr Cymdeithasol y plentyn a gellir trafod y broses gyda'r Goruchwyliwr MST.