Article
Social Care is a sector built on purpose, passion, and pressure. Whether someone is working as a caseworker supporting families or managing a frontline team, the work is deeply human—and often emotionally demanding. And yet, ask most people why they do it, and you’ll hear the same response: “Because I care.”
At HiTalent, we specialise in recruiting across the social care space. This gives us a unique insight into both the inspiring highs and the real challenges—particularly when it comes to retention. While roles in child protection, family support, and case management remain essential, it’s becoming harder to keep great people in them.
And it’s not always about salary.
One of the most powerful tools we’ve seen for retaining great people is a focus on learning and development.
The social care sector experiences some of the highest turnover rates in Australia. Industry reports show that up to 30% of staff exit within their first 12–18 months—a statistic that has a major impact on service delivery, team cohesion, and client outcomes.
In conversations with candidates, we consistently hear the same thing: they want more than just a role. They’re looking for:
Supervision that supports reflection and learning
Opportunities to upskill—particularly in areas like trauma-informed practice and leadership
Clear, achievable career pathways
Organisational cultures that value people, not just performance
Without these foundations in place, even the best-paying roles are hard to fill—and harder to keep filled.
Before candidates even consider accepting an offer, they're asking:
“What are the growth opportunities like here?”
A warm welcome and a brief induction are no longer enough. Today’s workforce wants to be coached, mentored, and supported. They want to feel that they’re developing professionally, not just doing a job.
We see time and again that organisations with clear training and development pathways are filling roles faster—and keeping people for longer.
Training and development shouldn’t be treated as optional extras—they are core to a successful workforce strategy.
When employees feel equipped and confident, they’re more effective. When they feel supported and challenged, they stay. When they see a future within your organisation, they become your strongest advocates.
We work with organisations that understand this. The ones that invest in leadership programs, fund further study, provide clinical supervision, and promote from within consistently have stronger cultures and lower staff turnover.
If your organisation is struggling with retention, it’s worth asking:
Are we offering people something to grow into—or just something to do?
Because people enter social care to make a difference—but they stay when they feel developed, supported, and valued.
So don’t just recruit. Invest. Mentor. Train. Empower.
At HiTalent, we work with purpose-driven organisations who are committed to the long game—developing people, building strong teams, and creating lasting impact. If you’re looking for passionate practitioners ready to grow with your team, we’d love to help.
Let’s connect—and find your next long-term hire.
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