Becoming a social and educational support worker (AES) in France

The social and educational support worker (AES) helps people with disabilities, elderly or ill people in their daily lives, in care facilities, at home or at school. Since 2016, their French state diploma has replaced those of medico-psychological assistant (AMP) and home-care assistant: if you want to become an AMP, this is now the diploma to aim for. The job combines everyday care with a helping relationship, and it recruits heavily across the medico-social sector. This profile is part of our guide to careers in psychology.

What does a social and educational support worker do?

The job

The AES supports people whose autonomy is reduced by a disability, age or illness. They help them carry out the essential acts of daily life, and also keep a social life, activities and relationships. Their work is part of each person’s individual plan, built with the multidisciplinary team.

From medico-psychological assistant to DEAES

Until 2016, two diplomas coexisted: medico-psychological assistant (AMP), for work in facilities, and home-care assistant (AVS), for work at home. They were merged into the DEAES, whose framework was revised in 2021 into a single pathway. Holders of a former AMP diploma keep their rights.

What are the duties of a social and educational support worker?

• Help with daily activities: washing, dressing, meals, getting around.
• Offer suitable activities: outings, workshops, games, stimulation activities.
• Support communication and relationships, including with people who speak little or not at all.
• Take part in the person’s individual plan and in team meetings.
• Support the schooling of pupils with disabilities, as part of inclusive education.

Skills and qualities of a social and educational support worker

The job requires empathy, patience, observation and respect for people’s dignity. You need to adapt how you communicate, handle sometimes disconcerting behaviour, and work in a team with educators, care staff and psychologists.

What psychology brings

Understanding mental or psychological disability, autism spectrum disorders, neurodegenerative diseases or the effects of institutional life helps provide the right support. A psychology background also helps you step back from your own emotional involvement, an important issue in this job.

Training: the state diploma of social and educational support worker

No law requires the DEAES for all support posts, but most medico-social facilities and services recruit qualified people first, and the diploma often determines pay.

The DEAES is a level 3 diploma (vocational level, equivalent to a CAP). The training includes about 525 hours of teaching and 840 hours of placement, in five skills blocks. It is prepared in social work training institutes, in initial training, apprenticeship or as a career change. Entry is based on an application and an interview, with no diploma requirement. The DEAES can also be obtained through the validation of prior experience (VAE).

And after psychology studies?

Psychology students can work as an AES during or after their studies, or use this experience as a springboard towards higher qualifications. ESPÉ’s Bachelor in Psychology provides an in-depth understanding of disability and ageing, useful for moving into educational or coordination roles.

Salary and working conditions of a social and educational support worker

The starting salary is close to the French minimum wage (SMIC) and depends on the collective agreement (private non-profit facilities, hospital or local civil service). Work in facilities often involves shifts, weekends and public holidays.

Career prospects for a social and educational support worker

An AES can move on to the diplomas of care assistant, assistant educator or specialised educator, with reduced training, or specialise in supporting autistic or elderly people.

Why become a social and educational support worker?

It is a human, useful job that recruits everywhere. It allows you to build a lasting relationship with the people you support and to contribute concretely to their quality of life and inclusion.