École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS)

What École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS) does

École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS) is a private French social work training institution founded in 1913 and headquartered in a 19th-century mansion at 139 Boulevard Montparnasse, Paris, with a second training campus at Cergy. Since 2020 it has operated as a constituent component (composante) of CY Cergy Paris Université, gaining access to university libraries, student housing, and dual-degree pathways. The school delivers 14 state-recognized diploma programs across qualification levels 3 through 7 — including Assistant de Service Social (ASS), Éducateur de Jeunes Enfants (EJE), Éducateur Spécialisé (ES), Accompagnant Éducatif et Social (AES), Moniteur Éducateur (ME), Technicien de l'Intervention Sociale et Familiale (TISF), Assistant Familial (AF), CAFERUIS, and a Coordonnateur program — together with continuing education and VAE pathways. Approximately 1,500 students enroll annually, with 2025 success rates ranging from 88% (EJE) to 100% (AES).

The institution's technology footprint is modest: a Moodle-based MOOC platform (mooc.epss.fr) for orientation, a Webaurion admission portal, a Stage Platform connecting students with internship employers, and integration with CY Cergy Paris Université's student information systems. It is not a technology company. Revenue is generated through a hybrid public-private model combining capped regional government funding from the Conseil Régional d'Île-de-France (covering 73 ES, 45 EJE, and 20 AES initial-training places), employer-financed apprenticeship contracts routed through OPCO, apprenticeship tax allocations (taxe d'apprentissage), CPF and Transition Pro financing, individual self-pay tuition (ranging from €100/year for regionally-funded seats to €21,997 for fully employer-financed ES programs), donations, and facility rental of historic event spaces. Diploma success rates and dual-degree optionality (notably the CAFERUIS/Master 1 EPDIS combined track with INSPE Versailles) anchor the value proposition, alongside a brand heritage spanning over a century and an Erasmus+-enabled Paris Summer School of Social Work for international participants.

Name

École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS)

Legal name

École Pratique de Service Social

Website

https://epss.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS) is a Paris-based private social work training school founded in 1913, delivering 14 state-recognized diploma programs across qualification levels 3–7 to approximately 1,500 students annually, with campuses in Paris and Cergy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Social Work Training

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)

Keywords

• Social work training
• Professional diplomas
• Vocational education
• Continuing education
• Apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Regional Government Funding: The Conseil Régional d'Île-de-France funds a limited number of training places in the direct pathway (initial formation), covering tuition costs for eligible students. This represents the primary public funding mechanism.
2. Employer-Financed Training: Companies and social/medico-social establishments finance apprentice and employee training through OPCO (Opérateur de Compétences) agreements, Skills Development Plans, CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), and Transition Pro programs.
3. Apprenticeship Tax (Taxe d'apprentissage): Companies allocate a portion of their apprenticeship tax to EPSS, which the school uses to support training programs and equipment.
4. Individual Payment: Students or individuals who self-finance their training pay tuition fees directly according to published rate cards.
5. Donations: The school accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support its mission and student assistance programs.
6. Facility Rental: EPSS rents out historical event spaces (Picasso, Magritte, Monet, Chagall rooms) in its 19th century Montparnasse mansion for seminars, events, and trainings to external organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EPSS is a private social work training institution that delivers State-recognized professional diploma programs (DEASS, DEEJE, DEES, DEAES, DEME, DETISF, CAFERUIS) at levels 3 through 7, combining 1,800 hours of theoretical instruction with extensive workplace internships. The school serves approximately 1,500 students annually across initial training, apprenticeship, and continuing education pathways, and offers dual-degree programs in partnership with CY Cergy Paris Université and INSPE de Versailles.

Product overview

École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS) est un établissement de formation aux métiers du travail social proposant 14 formations certifiantes allant du niveau 3 au niveau 6 (Bac+4), couvrant des diplômes tels que l'Assistant de Service Social (ASS), l'Éducateur de Jeunes Enfants (EJE), l'Éducateur spécialisé (ES), l'Accompagnant Éducatif et Social (AES), le Moniteur Éducateur (ME), le Responsable d'unité d'intervention sociale (CAFERUIS), ainsi que des formations continues, la VAE et un MOOC pédagogique. L'établissement offre également un programme international (Paris Summer School of Social Work) et un double cursus CAFERUIS/Master 1 EPDIS. Composante de CY Cergy Paris Université depuis 2020, l'école articule formation professionnelle et universitaire avec 1800 heures théoriques et périodes de formation pratique.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assistant de Service Social (ASS) Professional training program for the State Diploma of Social Service Assistant (Diplôme d'État d'Assistant de Service Social, DEASS), level 6 with grade licence (180 ECTS credits), preparing students to support individuals in difficulty in their daily lives. Targeted at prospective students and apprentices seeking initial social work qualification.
• Éducateur de Jeunes Enfants (EJE) Professional training program for the State Diploma of Early Childhood Educator (DEEJE), level 6 grade licence, preparing students to support the development of children aged 0–7 and work with families. Targeted at prospective students and apprentices.
• Éducateur spécialisé (ES) Professional training program for the State Diploma of Specialized Educator (DEES), level 6 grade licence, preparing students to support individuals with disabilities or in integration difficulties. Includes 55 weeks of internships.
• Accompagnant Éducatif et Social (AES) Professional training program for the State Diploma of Educational and Social Support (DEAES), level 3 (InfraBac), preparing students to support individuals with disabilities or vulnerability. Targeted at candidates without the baccalaureate.
• Moniteur Éducateur (ME) Level 4 professional training program preparing students to animate daily life activities for individuals in difficulty and support them in essential acts. Targeted at candidates without the baccalaureate.
• Assistant familial (AF) Training program preparing students to welcome children or adults in difficulty into their family home. Targeted at candidates seeking to act as professional foster families.
• Technicien de l'Intervention Sociale et Familiale (TISF) Level 4 professional training program preparing students to intervene in the homes of families in difficulty to support them in their daily lives.
• CAFERUIS - Responsable d'unité(s) d'intervention sociale Level 6 (Bac+4) certifying training preparing current social work professionals for team supervision and management of multidisciplinary teams in the social and medico-social sector. CPF and Transition Pro eligible.
• Formation continue Continuing professional training programs for employees in the social and medico-social sector, including short programs and certifying pathways. Targeted at employed social sector professionals.
• Validation des Acquis d'Expérience (VAE) Program allowing experienced practitioners to obtain a social work diploma through validation of professional and personal experience. Targeted at individuals with significant field experience seeking formal credential recognition.
• Coordonnateur Level 6 continuing education program preparing professionals to coordinate projects and teams in the social and medico-social sector.
• MOOC de l'EPSS Free Moodle-based pedagogical e-learning platform offering online courses for orientation and preparation for social work professions. Targeted at prospective students exploring social work careers.
• Paris Summer School of Social Work Intensive 1–2 week international summer program offered in English, enabling international students to discover French social work practice and French culture. Targeted at students from partner universities worldwide.
• CAFERUIS - Master 1 EPDIS (double cursus) Dual-track program allowing students to obtain simultaneously the CAFERUIS and the Master 1 MEEF E.P.D.I.S. with INSPE de l'académie de Versailles. Targets professionals seeking leadership preparation in social intervention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% diploma success rate for Éducateur Spécialisé graduates (2025)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Universitat de LleidaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2026Partner in Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on children's rights in early childhood education, hosted in Lleida, Spain. Eight EPSS students from EJE and ES programs participated in the May 2026 program alongside participants from Spain and Hungary.
• CY Cergy Paris UniversitécoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020In 2020, EPSS became an official component of CY Cergy Paris Université, integrating into the university system. This partnership enables dual-degree programs combining professional diplomas with university licenses, access to university resources (libraries, sports, healthcare, student services), and collaborative academic programs including the CAFERUIS/Master 1 EPDIS combined pathway delivered in partnership with INSPE de Versailles.
• Erasmus+ ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPSS participates in the Erasmus+ European mobility program, enabling student exchanges, blended intensive programs (BIP), and international cooperation projects. The school hosts the annual Paris Summer School of Social Work as part of its international offerings.
• Université Sorbonne Paris NordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for student mobility and exchange programs in social work education.
• Université de LiègeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for student mobility and exchange programs in social work education.
• Université de Bâle (Suisse)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with University of Basel for student mobility and collaborative programs in social work.
• Université Libre de BruxellesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with Free University of Brussels for student exchange and collaborative social work education projects.
• Université de Gérone (Espagne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with University of Girona for student mobility and exchange in social work programs.
• CFA CY (Centre de Formation des Apprentis)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministrative partnership for managing apprenticeship contracts and related financial matters for EPSS apprentices across all programs.
• INSPE Académie de VersaillescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative program offering combined CAFERUIS/Master 1 EPDIS pathway, with shared teaching modules and complementary university education for leadership and development in social intervention.
• IRFASE, St.Ho, Fondation INFAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of four social work training institutions (including EPSS) that issued a joint alert in 2026 on the weakening of the associative sector and its consequences for social action and professional training.
• Generation Study AbroadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInitiative partner supporting and promoting international study abroad opportunities for students, particularly for the Paris Summer School of Social Work program.
• Social Sector Employers and EstablishmentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of social and medico-social establishments (EHPAD, IME, CHRS, ITEP, MECS, SAAD, etc.) that provide internship placements and apprenticeship opportunities for EPSS students, forming essential partnerships for work-integrated learning.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IRTS Paris Île-de-France: IRTS Paris Île-de-France is a regional work social institute in the same geography offering the same core State diplomas (ASS, ES, EJE, ME, TISF, CAFERUIS) via initial, apprenticeship, and continuing education routes. It is the closest direct competitor to EPSS within Île-de-France, sharing the same regulatory funding pool from the Conseil Régional.
• AFORS (Association pour la Formation en Travail Social): AFORS is a French social work training provider delivering State-recognized diplomas in the Île-de-France region, with programs spanning initial training, apprenticeship, and continuing education. It directly competes with EPSS for the same regional funding places and student segments.
• IRFASE (Institut Régional de Formation des Agents Sociaux et Éducatifs): IRFASE is a French social work training school delivering State-recognized diplomas across multiple qualification levels, with programs for ASS, ES, EJE, ME, and AES. It is comparable to EPSS as a peer provider in the same sector and as a partner in the July 2026 coalition alert on the weakening associative sector.
• ASKORIA: ASKORIA is a French social work school headquartered in Brittany with campuses in multiple regions, delivering State diplomas (ASS, ES, EJE, ME, CAFERUIS) plus continuing education. It is comparable to EPSS through its parallel program portfolio and dual initial/apprenticeship/continuing education business model.
• ARIFOR (Association Régionale pour l'Institut de Formation en Travail Social): ARIFOR is a French regional social work training institute offering the same State-recognized diplomas (ASS, ES, EJE, AES, CAFERUIS) across initial and apprenticeship pathways. Comparable to EPSS via its same program mix, regulatory positioning, and employer-financed apprenticeship model.
• Fondation INFA: Fondation INFA is a French social work and medico-social training foundation delivering State diplomas (DEES, DEAES, CAFERUIS) plus continuing education. It is comparable to EPSS through parallel program portfolio and co-membership in the July 2026 industry alert coalition.

Broad incumbents

• Croix-Rouge Compétence: Croix-Rouge Compétence is the training arm of the French Red Cross, operating multiple social work schools across France delivering State-recognized diplomas (DEES, DEEJE, DEASS, DEAES). It is comparable to EPSS because both deliver the same nationally-regulated social work certifications and serve employer networks in the medico-social sector.
• CY Cergy Paris Université (parent institution): CY Cergy Paris Université is the public research university of which EPSS became a component in 2020, offering the broader university context including library, research, and dual-degree infrastructure. It is comparable to EPSS as the academic host and partner, not a direct competitor but the institutional anchor for EPSS's university-integrated programs.

Others

• INSPE de l'Académie de Versailles: INSPE de Versailles is the teacher training institute of the Versailles academy delivering Master MEEF programs including EPDIS. It is comparable to EPSS as a co-delivery partner for the combined CAFERUIS/Master 1 EPDIS double-degree pathway.

Regional players

• ETS (École de Travail Social) - ARSEAA / GRAFICS network: ETS and the GRAFICS network are regional French social work training providers operating in different French territories (notably southern France). They are comparable to EPSS through identical State-diploma offerings and employer-financed apprenticeship models, though they do not directly compete in Île-de-France.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecole-pratique-de-service-social-epss-

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about École Pratique de Service Social (EPSS)