To coincide with the publication of a study on home-based employment as a regional issue, we spoke to Julie L’Hotel Delhoume, President of Fepem, the French federation of individual employers. She discusses the key findings of this survey, which highlights the essential role of home-based employment in maintaining social ties, responding to the challenges of ageing and loss of autonomy, and the need to better recognize this local model as a structuring lever for local policies, regional attractiveness and the day-to-day needs of the French.
Question 1: At the Salon des Maires, you chose to put homecare employment on the table as a “territorial” issue, at the crossroads of aging, maintaining services and local attractiveness. In what context was this study launched, and what precise need did you want to clarify for elected representatives?
JLD: Fepem is the only federation to defend a not-for-profit homecare model, with a presence in every region, close to families, local councillors and employees. Our presence throughout France, with 13 regional delegations, bears witness to this.
Today, employment in the home is first and foremost a “regional” issue, because behind this sector lie millions of people who contribute to or depend on this essential local model on a daily basis. More than 3.4 million employers employ 1.2 million people in their own homes. Fepem is the only federation that represents and takes into account the inseparable pairing of “private employer and employee”.
We therefore felt it essential to carry out a study to illustrate and share the perception of our sector, and the needs and expectations it meets.
The survey gives a voice not only to elected representatives, but above all to the people of France. It is fully in line with our strategy, which aims to give greater recognition to home-based employment, make it more accessible and, last but not least, make it a genuine local policy choice.
Home-based employment is a key resource for local residents, and is recognized and identified by elected representatives: 9 out of 10 mayors surveyed said they were familiar with the sector, and 65% spontaneously cited home care for the elderly as one of its two major assets.
“Today, employment in the home is first and foremost a “territorial” issue, because behind this sector lie millions of people who contribute to or depend on this essential local model on a daily basis.”
Julie L’Hotel Delhoume
President of Fepem
Question 2: One of the salient points is that employment in the home is perceived not just as a “service”, but as a lever for maintaining people in their own homes, providing solutions for everyday life… and for social cohesion. How does this perception change the way you approach the subject with local authorities and players?
JLD: It’s important to assert and reiterate that home-based employment is a real partner for public authorities at local level.
It enables us to respond on a daily basis to situations of fragility, disability, ageing, or even childcare.
Today, home-based employment is a key component in the response to tomorrow’s challenges, particularly in view of demographic issues. In a context marked by an aging population, 60% of French people plan to make use of these services in the coming years – 68% of them to support the loss of autonomy – and 92% express the wish to age at home.
Mayors have clearly identified these issues: 60% of them cite home care and assistance for the elderly as a priority for their municipality. Fepem is therefore working alongside elected representatives to meet the needs of local populations.
This recognition leads us to position home-based employment as a tool for social development, helping to prevent loss of autonomy and promote well-being in the home. It also implies strengthening local partnerships, integrating these issues into local public policies, and supporting local authorities in structuring responses adapted to the needs of their populations.
Question 3: By 2030, both elected representatives and the general public are anticipating an increase in demand for homecare services. If you had to set a clear course for the coming years with local authorities, what would your priorities be?
JLD: Between now and 2030, demand for homecare services is set to rise sharply: 68% of the French public anticipate an increase in demand, and 70% of mayors share this forecast.
This trend is driven by the aging of the population, French people’s desire to reconcile their lives more effectively, and the shared desire to be able to age at home.
To meet this challenge, Fepem has set a clear course, which it intends to pursue in collaboration with local and regional authorities.
One of our priorities is to make homecare jobs more attractive:
The sector represents a huge number of local jobs that cannot be relocated, but it faces a major recruitment challenge: by 2035, 44% of employees in the sector will be retiring, while at the same time, the need for support will continue to grow. By 2035, we estimate that over 580,000 jobs will need to be filled to meet the needs of the public.
In view of this reality, Fepem has decided to implement a national strategy for recruitment and access to homecare jobs. It is therefore essential to work with all stakeholders to enhance the value of these professions, develop local training courses and remove concrete obstacles to employment. With this in mind, we have strengthened our cooperation with France Travail.
