In France, most services provided to people in their homes are much less regulated than the same services provided in an institutional context. With the exception of providers of paramedical services, providers of home help are not required to possess particular training or diplomas. Until 1987, France's home help policies followed the Swedish model, according to which the home help needs of certain populations were subsidized through cash allowances, in-kind services, and/or government subsidies. In 1987, France instituted tax changes that lowered the final cost of home services for users and authorized the creation of organizations responsible for placing employees and helping administer work contracts between employers and their employees. Those measures blurred the formerly clear distinction between household employees and home help. Although policy changes have had a positive effect for employees of private individuals placed on the traditional domestic services market, they have contributed to deterioration of the employment conditions of household maintenance service employees. There has been talk of improving the image of home help occupations through certification; however, the process runs the risk of creating barriers for candidates with the necessary interpersonal skills but without the required level of education. (MN)