Meet our Student Support Officers and see what makes them such an important part of DRSC!
Caitlin de Souza | Student Support Officer
Caitlin completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Curtin University last year.
Her first placement was with Child Protection Mirrabooka in 2024, where she spent most of her time with the Intensive Family Support (IFS) team, case managing families who were in need of support both in and out of the home. The focus of this work was preventing children from being removed from their families or working towards reunification where appropriate.
Her second placement was in Bunbury with Richmond WA’s Community Supported Residential Units (CSRU), an adult mental health recovery program. During this placement, Caitlin undertook case management responsibilities and facilitated psychoeducation group programs on topics including boundaries, healthy relationships, understanding trauma, and external versus internal validation.
Caitlin has also worked as a Youth Outreach Worker with Mission Australia’s YouthBeat program since 2023. This service supports young people who present in the Perth City and Northbridge areas, assisting them to return to safe accommodation. The service operates with case managers Monday to Friday, alongside a Friday and Saturday night outreach program, which is where Caitlin has primarily worked. Outside of her role at Darling Range Sports College, Caitlin continues her involvement with the service, driven by her passion for helping young people stay safe and make positive decisions when spending time in the city.
While Caitlin greatly enjoyed both her placements and her work in youth outreach, working in a school environment and supporting young people in an educational setting has always been her goal. She is grateful for the opportunity to join Darling Range Sports College and is excited for the journey ahead.
Outside of work, Caitlin plays AFL, which is a significant part of her life. She enjoys being part of a team, and the strong sense of collaboration and support within Student Services is one of the reasons she enjoys her role so much.