Retention Framework that Reduces Burnout and Turnover within the Social Care Sector

Social care workforce

International

Burnout and high turnover were putting frontline social care staff - and the people they support - under real pressure. Rehab Group responded by developing a Retention & Wellbeing Framework that tackles the problem from multiple angles at once: internal career mobility, values-based training, recognition programmes, and a full wellbeing suite including 24/7 digital healthcare access, menopause and fertility supports, and psychological safety initiatives. Rather than isolated HR interventions, the framework brings together culture, reward, learning, and leadership into one integrated strategy, using internal data to target where support is needed most.

The practice has had an incredible success. In 2025, 512 external hires were made alongside 280 internal movements - a clear sign that internal career progression is becoming the norm. Attrition dropped from 16.2% in December 2023 to 11% in December 2025. Cultural surveys showed 80% positive feedback in NLN services and 93% in Corporate Functions, while overall engagement scores rose by 9% year on year. 90% of staff reported feeling they can be themselves at work.

Frontline social care staff across RehabCare, NLN, CareLink, and Social Enterprise programmes, over 20,000 people with disabilities who benefit from more stable, consistent care, international workers and underrepresented groups supported through inclusive recruitment and networking initiatives.

The practice is transferable thanks to its modular design - organisations can pick individual components like internal mobility, wellbeing supports, or leadership development, or implement the full model. It is embedded across core HR and leadership processes, meaning it requires limited additional cost to sustain.

Cara Murphy (Head of Talent Acquisition) — cara.murphy@rehab.ie
https://rehab.ie/