Designated Safeguarding Lead - Immediate Start

GEMS Education; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive tax-free salary

Individual furnished accommodation

Annual return flights

Private medical insurance

Tuition fee benefit for up to 1 child

Visa sponsorship

Relocation allowance

End of service gratuity

GEMS Rewards

Job summary

GEMS Education is seeking an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead to provide strategic leadership for safeguarding and child protection across the school, while retaining a reduced teaching timetable as a qualified teacher.

The ideal candidate has strong judgement, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and compassion in an international school setting in the UAE.

Qualifications

• Qualified teacher with a recognised teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE, State Teaching Licence or equivalent).
• A relevant bachelor's degree meeting UAE teacher approval requirements.
• Minimum of three years successful teaching experience within a recognised school setting.
• Significant safeguarding and child protection experience, ideally as Designated Safeguarding Lead or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures and effective case management.
• Experience managing sensitive disclosures, referrals and safeguarding concerns.
• Experience delivering safeguarding training and supporting colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead safeguarding and child protection practice across the school.
• Be the school's key point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
• Manage safeguarding referrals, disclosures and concerns with appropriate escalation.
• Maintain confidential safeguarding records per policy and regulations.
• Work with Principal and SLT on complex safeguarding matters.
• Liaise with parents, external agencies and authorities as required.
• Ensure safeguarding policies are current and consistently applied.
• Identify safeguarding trends and areas requiring intervention.
• Promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
• Deliver safeguarding training for staff and induction for new colleagues.
• Support a whole-school culture focused on student safety and wellbeing.

Skills

Safeguarding

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Discretion

Case management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Qualified teaching qualification (B.Ed/PGCE)

Job description

Job Description

About the School

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a leading GEMS international school in the UAE.

The school provides a high-quality international education to a diverse student community and is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and aspirational environment in which every student can thrive.

As part of GEMS Education, the school benefits from the scale and expertise of one of the world's leading private education providers, while maintaining a strong individual school culture centred around student wellbeing, academic excellence and continuous improvement.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly committed Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our school and play a key role in ensuring the safety, wellbeing and protection of all students.

The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and child protection across the school, working closely with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, pastoral teams, teachers, families and relevant external agencies.

This is primarily a safeguarding leadership position; however, the successful candidate will retain a reduced teaching timetable and therefore must also be a qualified and experienced teacher.

We are looking for someone with strong professional judgement, excellent interpersonal skills and the confidence to manage sensitive and complex safeguarding matters with discretion, compassion and rigour.

Key Responsibilities

Safeguarding & Child Protection

• Lead safeguarding and child protection practice across the school, ensuring the highest standards of student safety and wellbeing.
• Act as the school's key point of contact for safeguarding and child protection concerns.
• Manage safeguarding referrals, disclosures and concerns appropriately, ensuring timely action, accurate documentation and appropriate escalation.
• Maintain confidential and comprehensive safeguarding records in line with school, GEMS and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team on complex safeguarding and child protection matters.
• Liaise effectively with parents, external agencies and relevant authorities where required.
• Ensure safeguarding policies, procedures and practices remain current, effective and consistently implemented across the school.
• Identify emerging safeguarding trends, risks and areas requiring intervention or additional support.
• Promote a strong culture of safeguarding in which all members of the school community understand that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

Training & School Culture

• Deliver and coordinate safeguarding and child protection training for teaching and non-teaching staff.
• Ensure new staff receive appropriate safeguarding induction and understand reporting procedure.
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to colleagues in identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Support the development of a proactive whole-school culture centred around student safety, wellbeing and protection.
• Keep up to date with developments in safeguarding practice and relevant UAE regulatory requirements.

Teaching & Wider School Contribution

• Undertake a reduced teaching timetable appropriate to the successful candidate's subject specialism and experience.
• Deliver high-quality teaching and learning in line with the school's curriculum and expectations.
• Build positive and trusted relationships with students, colleagues and families.
• Contribute to the wider pastoral and professional life of the school.

Skills Description

Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will have:

• A recognised teaching qualification such as a B.Ed, PGCE, State Teaching Licence or equivalent.
• A relevant bachelor's degree meeting UAE teacher approval requirements.
• A minimum of three years successful teaching experience within a recognised school setting.
• Significant experience in safeguarding and child protection, ideally as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding procedures, child protection practice and effective case management.
• Experience managing sensitive disclosures, referrals and complex safeguarding concerns.
• Experience delivering safeguarding training and supporting colleagues with safeguarding practice.
• Excellent professional judgement and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work effectively with students, parents, senior leaders and external agencies.
• A calm, compassionate and student-centred approach.
• A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding, wellbeing and professional conduct.
• Experience within an international school or the UAE would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Availability to start immediately or by January 2027

What We Offer

As part of GEMS Education, you will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive tax-free salary
• Individual furnished accommodation
• Annual return flights
• Private medical insurance
• Tuition fee benefit for up to 1 child
• Visa sponsorship
• Relocation allowance
• End of service gratuity
• GEMS Rewards

Application Process

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, either in person or virtually. We reserve the right to make an appointment before the closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced safeguarding professional and educator to take a leading role in protecting and supporting students within a high-performing international school environment

Please note that this recruitment process is being conducted confidentially. Further information regarding the school will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage of the process.