Becoming a social worker in France: role, the DEASS diploma, salary and prospects

Housing, employment, child protection, health, access to rights: the social worker (assistant de service social, often called assistante sociale in France) helps people in difficulty regain their autonomy. It is a regulated profession, open with a state diploma at bachelor’s level. Psychology students are often interested in it, because the job relies on listening, interviewing and understanding complex human situations. This profile is part of our guide to careers in psychology.

What does a social worker do?

The job

The social worker welcomes, listens to and supports people facing social, economic, family or health difficulties. They assess each situation, inform people of their rights, help them put together their applications and refer them to the right contacts. The aim is for them to regain their autonomy. The title of social worker is protected: only holders of the state diploma may use it.

Who they support

Families, children at risk, elderly people, homeless people, people who are ill, employees in difficulty, people with disabilities: the people supported vary with the employer. Social workers are also bound by professional secrecy.

What are the duties of a social worker?

• Welcome and assess the situation in individual interviews.
• Inform and open rights: financial aid, housing, social benefits, health cover.
• Build long-term support with the person.
• Protect: report situations of danger for a child or a vulnerable adult.
• Run collective actions and work in a network with local partners.

Skills and qualities of a social worker

The job requires excellent listening, the ability to step back, rigour, solid knowledge of support schemes and social law, and the ability to handle situations of great distress. You also need to write professional reports (assessments, reports) and work with many partners.

What psychology brings

Knowledge of psychology helps conduct an interview, understand reactions to poverty or trauma, spot psychological suffering and refer to a care professional. Social workers do not provide psychological follow-up, but they are often the first to notice that someone needs it.

Studies and training: the DEASS

To work as a social worker and use the title, the state diploma is compulsory. The state diploma of social worker is prepared in three years in a social work training institute or in some universities. It carries the bachelor’s grade (180 ECTS). The training alternates teaching and placements, with about 1,740 hours of teaching and 12 months of placement. Admission is through Parcoursup, based on an application and an interview. The diploma can also be taken through apprenticeship and the validation of prior experience.

And after psychology studies?

A student who has studied psychology can apply for DEASS training; depending on the institute, some courses may be waived. ESPÉ’s Bachelor in Psychology provides useful foundations in social psychology, development and interviewing.

Salary and working conditions of a social worker

Pay follows the category A scale in the civil service, or the collective agreement in the voluntary sector. In the local and hospital civil service, social workers have been in category A since 2018 and progress along a pay scale. The work is mostly office-based, with home visits and partnership meetings.

Career prospects for a social worker

Social workers work in departmental councils (child protection, social action), hospitals, family allowance and health insurance funds, companies (occupational social services), national education or associations. They can move on to technical adviser, area manager or social services management roles, notably with the CAFERUIS qualification.

Why become a social worker?

It is a committed job, serving access to rights and social justice, with a wide variety of settings and real job security. It suits people who want to make a concrete difference in people’s lives.