Personal carer: a key role in social cohesion and a profession with a future

The first edition of the “Care and Support Professions Forum,” held last June in Perpignan (Pyrénées-Orientales) and organized by PAMA66 (which aims to promote the appeal of care and support professions for individuals experiencing a loss of autonomy), brought together a wide array of stakeholders: frontline professionals, institutions, training organizations, and service users. The goal? To create a space where people interested in care professions could meet committed professionals working in a field that remains underappreciated, yet is absolutely essential.

This fair reaffirmed the central role of personal carers in our solidarity-based social model. This is why the team of sectoral career guidance and development council from IPERIA (COEPS) made the trip—to be close to the emerging challenges of tomorrow and to meet with students, individuals undergoing career changes, and current professionals working without formal qualifications. Their objective: to promote a high-demand profession and present the employment opportunities it offers.

By 2040¹, 3.7 million seniors will be facing a loss of autonomy (a 39% increase compared to 2020), and the number of people over the age of 70 is expected to rise by 29% between 2022 and 2035.

To help these individuals remain independent, the forecasts are clear: according to the latest studies, 392,810 jobs will need to be filled by 2035², primarily to meet the needs of those aged 70 and over. This projection is directly tied to the increase in the elderly dependent population and their preference to remain at home.

However, the sector is struggling to recruit and retain personal carers. A lack of recognition, unclear career pathways, and demanding working conditions are just some of the obstacles. Structuring and promoting the profession is essential to overcoming these challenges and rising to meet the demand.

For over 30 years, IPERIA has contributed to the recognition of care professions by highlighting the value of skills. Its work is aligned with the policy framework of the private employers and home employment sector. This includes the creation of certification programs, training pathways, and tools to support personal carers in their career development—ensuring high-quality services while valuing individual journeys.

The profession of personal carer is deeply meaningful: it builds human connections, preserves autonomy, and brings compassion into care. Yet, its recognition remains fragile. By structuring the required skill sets, the sector and IPERIA are driving a significant movement toward the (re)valorization of the profession. Because behind every training journey lies the quality of care itself: well-trained and well-informed professionals are better equipped to provide support with compassion, expertise, and ethics.

This is where IPERIA’s Career Guidance and Development council, led by its dedicated advisors, truly makes a difference. It enables the design of customized professional pathways, tailored to the needs of (future) employees. This personalized guidance helps individuals thrive and move more confidently—and sustainably—into employment.

In Perpignan, as in Paris and across the country, promoting the profession of personal carer has never been more necessary.

¹ Source: 2024 Annual Sector Report – Private Employers and Home Employment
² Source: Home Employment Barometer, June 2025