Host family (family assistant)
Verified 01 January 2024 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Would you like to know what the job of family assistant is, how long the mission lasts, whether you need to obtain a license, take training, how is the remuneration determined...? You also wonder whether the rights and duties vis-à-vis children (parental authority) are transferred to the family assistant? We present you with the information you need to know.
The mission consists of housing one or more children (0-21 years old) in difficulty at home, for a fee.
The family assistant shall exercise his profession as salaried worker services of the department or a children's aid association.
With persons residing at home, the family assistant shall constitute a host family.
In principle, the reception is long-term, but it can be urgent and short-term.
To be approved as a foster family, you must meet the following conditions:
- Have French nationality, be a citizen of the EEA or have a valid residence permit authorizing the pursuit of a professional activity
- Not having been convicted of offenses related to children
- Take a medical exam to make sure your health allows you to welcome children
- Provide reception conditions that guarantee the safety, health and development of children (physical, intellectual and emotional)
The approval is issued by the services of your department.
On 1era Upon request for approval, it is recommended to participate in the information meetings organized by the department's Maternal and Child Protection Service (PMI).
How do I submit the application?
On the spot
You must provide the following:
- Medical certificate ensuring that your health allows you to welcome children
- Application Form
Application for approval of family assistant
The application file can be submitted by hand to the services of your department.
IMP and Families Planning Sub-Directorate
By mail
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75570 PARIS CEDEX 12
On the spot
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75012 PARIS
If your file is incomplete, the receiving department will ask you for the missing parts within 15 days.
By mail
You must send the following documents by registered letter with AR: titleContent with your department:
- Medical certificate ensuring that your health allows you to welcome children
- Application Form
Application for approval of family assistant
IMP and Families Planning Sub-Directorate
By mail
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75570 PARIS CEDEX 12
On the spot
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75012 PARIS
If your file is incomplete, the receiving department will ask you for the missing documents within 15 days.
Please note
one extract from bulletin n°2 of the criminal record live-in adults at your home is required for your file to be complete, except for those accommodated under a social assistance measure. However, you cannot ask for it yourself. The Department's services will request this directly from the national criminal record.
Demand review: what are the steps?
The department's Maternal and Child Protection Service (PMI) has 4 months to process your application.
The statement includes the following steps:
- Review your application file
- One or more interviews with you
- One or more visits to your home
The PMI service uses a criteria grid to verify that you meet the conditions for approval. He also checks that you are proficient in French.
How is the approval decision taken?
Accreditation is granted if your reception conditions guarantee the safety, health and development of the children being welcomed. Your ability to care for a child is also taken into account.
The decision is yours notified in the 4 months upon receipt of your complete application package.
If you do not receive a reply within this period, you will be granted approval. A certificate of approval is sent to you.
In the event of a refusal, the letter sent to you shall specify the grounds and possibilities of appeal.
The decision (or certificate) indicates the number of minors and young adults under 21 years of age that you can receive at the same time. This number shall be limited to 3, unless otherwise authorized.
Approval shall be granted for 5 years.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
In the 2 months preceding the reception of the 1er as a child, the family assistant receives a preparatory course for the reception. The internship is for 60 hours and organized by your employer.
Within 3 years after the signature of 1er on a contract of employment, the family assistant has to undergo training on an alternating basis over a period of 18 to 24 months.
You have a diploma as a child care assistant, early childhood educator, special educator or child care worker
No, no, no. You are dispensed training.
You have employee status.
You are paid according to the number of children you take in and the length of time they are there.
Each department shall fix the remuneration of family assistants by deliberation.
The minimum remuneration for a child shall be at least equivalent to the monthly minimum wage (€1,766.92), from which social contributions must be deducted and to which the supplementary allowance (the maintenance allowance).
The shares corresponding to each additional reception may not be less than 70 times the hourly minimum wage (815.50) per month and per child.
An increase (increase) may be added for subjugation exceptional in continuous or intermittent reception and emergency accommodation allowance.
In principle, parents retain their rights and duties towards their child(ren). We're talking of parental authority.
As a result, as a family assistant, you must ask them for their permission with respect to the child's life (for example, to see a doctor, have an operation, go out in the evening, go on an outing or a school trip).
When the child is present full-time, you must obtain the permission of the child's parents to take the child on holiday.
If you no longer meet the conditions of the license, the department may modify the content of the license or withdraw it from you.
In case of emergency, your approval may be suspended. During the suspension period, no child can be given to you.
Any decision to withdraw, suspend or modify your authorization shall be explained to you and forwarded without delay.
You must apply for renewal of the license at least 3 months before its due date.
In the year preceding the end of the approval, the department's services will send you a letter with the application form.
The renewal of the approval shall be carried out in the same way as the initial application.
On the spot
You must provide the following:
- Medical certificate ensuring that your health allows you to welcome children
- Application Form
Application for approval of family assistant
The application file can be submitted by hand to the services of your department.
IMP and Families Planning Sub-Directorate
By mail
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75570 PARIS CEDEX 12
On the spot
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75012 PARIS
If your file is incomplete, the receiving department will ask you for the missing parts within 15 days.
Please note
one extract from bulletin n°2 of the criminal record live-in adults at your home is required for your file to be complete, except for those accommodated under a social assistance measure. However, you cannot ask for it yourself. The Department's services will request this directly from the national criminal record.
By mail
You must send the following documents by registered letter with AR: titleContent with your department:
- Medical certificate ensuring that your health allows you to welcome children
- Application Form
Application for approval of family assistant
IMP and Families Planning Sub-Directorate
By mail
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75570 PARIS CEDEX 12
On the spot
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75012 PARIS
If your file is incomplete, the receiving department will ask you for the missing documents within 15 days.
Please note
one extract from bulletin n°2 of the criminal record live-in adults at your home is required for your file to be complete, except for those accommodated under a social assistance measure. However, you cannot ask for it yourself. The Department's services will request this directly from the national criminal record.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
For further information and to apply for approval
Department ServicesFor further information
Maternal and Child Protection Center (PMI)For more information (if you live in Paris)
IMP and Families Planning Sub-Directorate
By mail
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75570 PARIS CEDEX 12
On the spot
Maternal and family assistant approvals center
76 Rue de Reuilly
75012 PARIS
Definition of the family assistant (Article L421-2), conditions of issue (Article L421-3), content of the approval (Article L421-5), decision of approval and withdrawal (Article L421-6)
Briefings on the activity of family assistant (Article D421-2)
Conditions for obtaining (Article R421-3), examination of the application (Articles D421-4 to D421-11), duration (Article D421-13), certificate (Article D421-15) of approval, derogations for the number of children received (Articles D421-16 to D421-17)
Renewal, suspension and withdrawal of approval
Obligation to inform the services of the department in case of change of family situation (article R421-38), serious accident (article R421-40), removal (article R421-41)
Basis of remuneration
Service-Public.fr
Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Dila) - Prime Minister