Head of Inclusion and Safeguarding

The Charter Schools project is dedicated to public school students based in Al Ain, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Operated and managed by private education providers, our Charter Schools offer an American-based curriculum from kindergarten through to cycle three, up to Grade 11, with more grades to be introduced as students' progress in their educational journey.

This is your opportunity to be a part of a vibrant learning community that values diversity, professional development, and innovation. Our remuneration packages are competitive locally and internationally with an excellent salary and comprehensive benefits. We also encourage and support the pursuit of Continuing Professional Development where relevant and feasible. 

The successful candidate will be required to set high standards of themselves and others and will conduct themselves with consummate integrity. In doing so, they will be supported by a highly effective team of senior and middle leaders and a staff, pupil, and parent body committed to the achievement of excellence.

The Position

The Head of Inclusion and Safeguarding will lead the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of inclusion, wellbeing, safeguarding, and child protection initiatives across Charter Schools.

The role is responsible for ensuring that all Students of Determination (SOD), gifted and talented students, and other students with diverse needs receive high-quality education and support. 

In addition, the role involves training staff across the organization on best practices in inclusion, safeguarding, child protection, and wellbeing, with a keen understanding of UAE cultural sensitivity and regulatory requirements, including the UAE Inspection Framework.

Job Description

1. Leadership in Inclusion and Wellbeing:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive inclusion and well-being strategy that promotes equity, support, and access for all students, especially SOD and gifted students, across all educational settings.
• Inclusion Policies: Design, update, and ensure implementation of inclusive policies and frameworks in line with the UAE National Policy for Inclusive Education and other relevant legislation.
• Student Wellbeing: Lead initiatives to promote student wellbeing, emotional development, and mental health, ensuring that the training programs meet the holistic needs of all students.

• 2. Support for Students of Determination (SOD):

• Personalized Support Plans: Ensure the development and implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) for SOD in line with UAE guidelines and best practices.
• Intervention Programs: Oversee the design and implementation of targeted intervention programs to address specific learning, behavioral, or physical needs of SOD.
• Collaboration: Work closely with school leaders, teachers, and parents to provide ongoing support for SOD, ensuring that inclusive practices are embedded across all classrooms.

• 3. Gifted and Talented Students:

• Identification and Support: Develop a system for the identification of gifted and talented students and ensure their needs are met through appropriate academic challenges, enrichment opportunities, and differentiated learning.
• Curriculum Enrichment: Lead the creation of programs and partnerships that provide enhanced learning experiences, creativity development, and leadership opportunities for gifted students.
• Monitoring and Assessment: Monitor the progress of gifted students, ensuring that their individual learning plans are being followed and they achieve their full potential.

• 4. Safeguarding and Child Protection:

• Policy Development: Create and implement safeguarding and child protection policies aligned with UAE laws and international best practices, ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students.
• Training Programs: Lead training and capacity-building programs for all staff on safeguarding, child protection, and related legal frameworks to ensure the welfare of students.
• Incident Management: Act as the key point of contact for all safeguarding and child protection concerns, managing incident reporting, investigations, and response procedures in coordination with relevant authorities.

• 5. UAE Cultural Sensitivity and Compliance:

• Cultural Awareness: Ensure all inclusion, wellbeing, and safeguarding practices are aligned with UAE cultural norms, values, and traditions, fostering respect and understanding among staff and students.
• UAE Inspection Framework: Ensure that all inclusion and wellbeing practices adhere to the UAE School Inspection Framework, preparing schools for inspection and meeting all regulatory requirements.
• Partnerships and Collaboration: Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, local education authorities, and governmental bodies to ensure that initiatives are in line with UAE national priorities for inclusive education and safeguarding.

• 6. Training and Professional Development:

• Staff Training: Lead the development and delivery of training programs for all educational and administrative staff on inclusion, wellbeing, safeguarding, child protection, and related best practices.
• Inclusive Teaching Practices: Train teachers on inclusive instructional methods, classroom adaptations, and how to support the needs of diverse learners, including SOD and gifted students.
• Continuous Improvement: Implement a system for continuous learning and professional development in inclusion and safeguarding, ensuring that all staff remain up to date with the latest research, policies, and methodologies.

• 7. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Use data to monitor the effectiveness of inclusion, wellbeing, and safeguarding practices, adjusting as necessary to ensure continuous improvement.
• Impact Measurement: Regularly evaluate the impact of policies and training programs on the inclusion and wellbeing of students, using key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensure that all inclusion, wellbeing, and safeguarding programs are compliant with local and federal laws, inspection frameworks, and school policies

• 8. Qualifications, Experience and Competencies

• Educational Background: Masters degree in Special Education, Educational Psychology, Educational Leadership, or a related field; a PhD is highly desirable.

• Experience:
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in educational leadership roles with a focus on inclusion, special education, safeguarding, or child protection.
• Proven experience working in the UAE or GCC region, with a strong understanding of the UAE's National Policy for Inclusive Education and UAE Inspection Framework.
• Safeguarding and Child Protection: Expertise in designing and implementing safeguarding and child protection policies and training programs, preferably in the context of UAE legal requirements.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Strong understanding of UAE culture, values, and traditions, with the ability to implement culturally appropriate inclusion and wellbeing practices.