Darling Range Sports College is very fortunate to have 2 Student Support Workers on site, Josh Johnson and Shona Simpson.
Josh Johnson
Josh has been a Youth Worker for the last 7 years in various not for profit and government departments around Perth including PCYC, both in the Midland Centre and Outreach (streets). He has supported students at Swan Behavioural Centre and more recently prior to his appointment at DRSC, Josh was located at the School of Special Education: Behaviour and Engagement where he created and ran a wide range of programs for disengaged youth.
Josh also runs a youth program outside of school hours that largely encompasses a mentoring component for young people who are involved with the Department of Communities. This, with his combined passion of Martial Arts, which he has been involved with training, coaching, participating and competing for over 19 years, gives him a good understanding of how young people work. This enables Josh to work with a broad range of young people to achieve positive goals.
Shona Simpson
Shona studied her Bachelor in Psychology at Curtin University and graduated in 2016.
After her degree she started working for the Department of Child Protection as a Children in Care Case Manager where she worked 2 years in country; Geraldton District, 1 year in Joondalup District, and 1 year in Mirrabooka District. During her time working for Child Protection she built relationships with children on her case load and supported with issues such as family change, drug and alcohol abuse, family domestic violence, court appearances, grief and loss, social and emotional support, friendship and relationships, cultural support including helping children to find their family and suitable homes, school behaviour, and living out of home support for the children on her case load. During her time in Mirrabooka District, she was appointed acting senior with Geraldton District where she was required to work her role independently in Perth to support kids who were living away from country.
Shona’s passion is child advocacy and mental health awareness. Shona’s studies in Psychology and experience in Child Protection has allowed Shona to work with all ages of young people to best support their needs and achieve positive outcomes.