An AESH (Accompanist in Handicap situation) must not never replace a teacher, perform general supervision, perform administrative tasks or provide medical care. Its role is strictly limited to the individual support of the students notified, within the framework defined by the PPS (Customised Schooling Project) and the regulations in force.
We regularly observe situations in the field where HSEAs are entrusted with missions far beyond their legal scope. Many people accept prohibited tasks because of lack of knowledge, hierarchical pressure or simply "to do service". Here is what you need to know:
- Missions strictly prohibited that you can refuse without fear
- The precise legal framework that protects your function
- Concrete arguments to say no with diplomacy
- Possible remedies in case of drift or pressure
What is an AESH? Reminder of the official role
An AESH is a national education professional responsible for accompanying students with disabilities to promote their schooling and autonomy. This profession responds to an official notification from the CDAPH (Commission on the Rights and Autonomy of Persons with Disabilities).
Your main mission is to facilitate school inclusion one or more students nominated by name, helping them in their apprenticeships and daily life at school. You're not a teacher, a supervisor, or a multi-purpose agent. This distinction is fundamental and protected by law.
Legal framework: what the AESH Mission Circular says
The Circular No.2017-084 of 3 May 2017 defines precisely the missions of the AESH. It establishes three main areas of intervention:
- Acts of daily life : assistance with the movement, installation, meals if provided for in the PPS
- Access to learning activities : reformulation of instructions, help with taking notes, support for concentration
- Social and relational activities : facilitation of exchanges, mediation with other students
This text also states that AESH is involved only with students notified and may in no case be entrusted with the tasks of other trades (education, supervision, care, secretariat).
Tasks strictly prohibited for an AESH
The following is an exhaustive list of missions you must refuse:
Educational:
- Replace an absent teacher, even 5 minutes
- Conduct a workshop or activity with a group alone
- Prepare courses or correct copies
- Teaching a lesson instead of the teacher
Monitoring:
- Watch a whole class, court, canteen or hallways
- Alone frame a group during an output
- Managing discipline (sanctions, punishments, exclusions)
Medical tasks:
- Administer medicines without IAP and specific training
- Performing care, even minors
- Issue a medical or diagnostic opinion
Administrative and logistical work:
- Photocopies, note entry, telephone management
- Physical preparation of examination rooms
- Cleaning or storage of premises
- Management of schedules or absences
Concrete examples of common drifts to be avoided
We regularly observe these problematic situations:
Scenario 1: The professor of mathematics is absent. We're asking you to "keep the class" for 30 minutes. It's illegal. You do not have the pedagogical responsibility of a group of students.
Scenario 2: The student you accompany is sick today. We assign you to the canteen surveillance. Refuse politely. Without an amendment to your contract, you are not required to accept a non-PSP mission.
Scenario 3: An unnotified student has difficulties. The teacher asks you to help him regularly. It's not allowed. You can only intervene with students designated by the CDAPH.
Scenario 4: You are systematically given photocopies or administrative filings. It's not your role. These tasks are the responsibility of the secretariat.
Authorized missions: what an AESH can really do
On the other hand, here is what is fully within your remit:
- Reformulate a instructions for your student (without teaching the concept)
- Support the student during learning by maintaining his/her attention
- Accompaniing the actions of daily life: installation, travel, meals if planned at the PPS
- Helping communication and promoting autonomy
- Facilitating social inclusion in the classroom
- Attend the student during official examinations with convocation
- Participate in ESS meetings (School Follow-up Team)
- Accompanied during school trips scheduled for the PPS
| Type of mission | Authorized | Forbidden |
| Reformulate a directive | ✅ | Teaching the lesson ❌ |
| Accompany to the toilet | ✅ | Administer a medicine ❌ |
| Participate in an ESS | ✅ | Fix Copies ❌ |
| Aid on examination notified | ✅ | Watch the canteen ❌ |
Legal and professional risks in the event of overruns
Accepting out-of-frame missions poses several risks:
For you: Personal liability in the event of an accident or problem during an unauthorized mission. Your professional insurance may not cover an incident that occurred during a prohibited task.
For the student: Absence of suitable accompaniment while performing other tasks. Risk of exclusion or delay in learning.
For the establishment: Violation of the regulatory framework, family redress.
We insist on this point: to refuse an out-of-frame mission, It's protecting everyone.including the institution.
How to refuse an off-mission task with diplomacy
Here is our three-step approach:
1. Stay calm and professional "I understand the situation, but this mission is not part of my legal mandate as AESH."
2. Remind the legal framework "According to the 2017 circular, my role is limited to accompanying notified students. I can't replace a teacher/supervisor/etc."
3. Propose an alternative "I suggest you contact PIAL to find a suitable solution. "
Always keep a copy of Circular 2017-084 with you. It's your best argument.
Special cases: school leavers, exams, periods without pupils
School leaving: You can accompany your student if it is planned for the PPS. Night outings are based on volunteerism onlyNever an obligation.
Reviews: You only intervene by official convocation or mission order. Without this document, you are not required to be present.
Student absent: You are not automatically redeployable to other missions. Without an endorsement or written direction from the PIAL reference, you may refuse temporary reassignment.
In-company internships: Accompaniment is possible if foreseen in the PPS, with mission order specifying times and places.
What to do in case of pressure or abusive demand?
If you are under pressure to accept illegal missions:
- Document everything : keep emails, meeting notes, written requests
- Contact your PIAL reference first
- Request a union for advice and support
- Enter the academic inspection in the event of a continuing situation
- Write systematically : focus on written exchanges over oral discussions
Never forget: to refuse an out-of-frame task is a rightNot an insubordination. You protect your profession and the students you accompany.
Official texts and relevant resources
We recommend that you download and consult these documents regularly:
- Circular No.2017-084 of 3 May 2017: definition of AESH missions
- Decree No. 2014-724 of 27 June 2014: conditions of recruitment and employment
- Circular No. 2019-0990 : AESH Management Framework
- Education Code, article L917-1 : status of accompanying persons
Practical resources:
- Ministry of National Education website (section Inclusive School)
- Specialized trade unions (CGT Education, FSU, UNSA Education)
- Your departmental PIAL contact points
You will understand: knowing your professional rights and limitations is essential to exercising your AESH profession calmly. We hope that this article will give you the keys to ensure respect for your function and continue to accompany students in the best possible conditions.
