Inclusion Lead - Special Education

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 201,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS Education in Dubai seeks an Inclusion Lead to drive the strategic and operational management of SEND/Inclusive education across the school. You will shape systems linking assessment, IEPs, classroom differentiation and targeted interventions to measurable student outcomes.

The role requires leading an Inclusion team, building staff capability and engaging families while aligning with UAE regulatory requirements and school improvement goals.

Qualifications

• Recognised teaching qualification (B.Ed, PGCE or equivalent).
• Relevant UAE teaching qualification per UAE requirements.
• Recognised SEND / Inclusion qualification or substantial professional development in these areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the school’s inclusive education strategy.
• Establish procedures for identifying, assessing and supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Direct the Inclusion team, clarify responsibilities and maintain high standards of specialist provision.
• Partner with senior leaders to integrate inclusion priorities into curriculum design and school improvement plans.
• Oversee Individual Education Plans and ensure targets, interventions and support strategies are regularly reviewed.
• Coordinate with counsellors, therapists and external specialists for holistic support.

Skills

Inclusion leadership

SEN support

Differentiated instruction

Progress monitoring

Team leadership

Parent engagement

Education

B.Ed / PGCE or equivalent

UAE teaching qualification

SEND / Inclusion qualification

Job description

Inclusion Lead - Special Education Job Snapshot

Role: Inclusion Lead - Special Education

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Primary-Secondary Education

Function: Special Education

Experience: Minimum 3 years teaching experience with previous Inclusion, SEND or SEN leadership experience

Job Type: Full-time

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Primary-Secondary Education

Function: Special Education

Salary: 18000-26000

Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Inclusion Lead will hold strategic and operational responsibility for ensuring that additional learning needs are identified early and addressed through coordinated, evidence-led provision. Working alongside the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will shape systems that connect assessment, Individual Education Plans, classroom differentiation, specialist interventions and measurable student outcomes. The position extends beyond managing individual cases. It requires leadership of the Inclusion team, development of staff capability, effective deployment of support resources and sustained engagement with families and external professionals. The overall objective is to embed inclusion into everyday teaching and school improvement rather than treating it as a separate support function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the school 's inclusive education strategy.
• Establish consistent procedures for identifying, assessing and supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Direct the Inclusion team, clarify responsibilities and maintain high standards of specialist provision.
• Partner with senior leaders to integrate inclusion priorities into curriculum design, teaching practice and school improvement planning.
• Oversee Individual Education Plans and ensure targets, interventions and support strategies are appropriate and regularly reviewed.
• Analyse student progress data and other evidence to determine the impact of inclusion provision.
• Coordinate assessments and monitoring for students requiring additional educational support.
• Ensure interventions are targeted, documented and adjusted according to measurable student outcomes.
• Guide teachers in differentiating instruction, adapting learning experiences and removing barriers to curriculum participation.
• Review the deployment of inclusion resources and specialist support to maximise their educational impact.
• Coordinate with counsellors, pastoral teams, ELL specialists and teaching colleagues to provide holistic support.
• Liaise with therapists, external specialists and relevant agencies when additional professional input is required.
• Lead professional development, coaching and practical guidance for teachers and support staff on inclusive classroom practice.
• Build constructive partnerships with parents and maintain clear communication regarding student needs, provision and progress.
• Ensure relevant school policies and procedures remain aligned with GEMS expectations and applicable UAE regulatory requirements.
• Contribute inclusion evidence and analysis to school self-evaluation and strategic improvement processes.
• Support inspection preparation by maintaining clear evidence of provision, student progress and the effectiveness of inclusion systems.
• Keep current with developments in SEND, Special Education and inclusive teaching practice and translate relevant approaches into school practice.
• Champion a school culture where linguistic, educational and developmental differences are respected and students experience meaningful participation and belonging.

Ideal Profile

• Recognised teaching qualification such as a B.Ed, PGCE, State Teaching Licence or equivalent.
• Relevant bachelor 's degree that meets UAE teacher approval requirements.
• Recognised SEND, Inclusion or Special Education qualification, or substantial professional development within these areas.
• Minimum three years of successful teaching experience.
• Significant practical experience supporting students with additional learning needs.
• Previous responsibility for leading Inclusion, SEND, SEN or additional learning provision within a school.
• Strong command of student identification, assessment, intervention planning and progress monitoring.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing Individual Education Plans and personalised student provision.
• Sound understanding of effective differentiation and inclusive classroom pedagogy.
• Capability to lead specialist colleagues, establish priorities and evaluate team performance.
• Experience coaching teachers and delivering professional development in inclusion-related practice.
• Confidence using student data and qualitative evidence to evaluate provision and inform decisions.
• Strong relationship-building skills for engagement with students, families, teachers, senior leaders and external professionals.
• Compassionate and solution-focused leadership style with student outcomes at the centre of decision-making.
• International school or UAE education experience is advantageous but not essential.

Skills Set

• Inclusion leadership
• SEND provision
• SEN support
• Special Education
• Inclusive education
• Individual Education Plans
• IEP management
• Student needs identification
• Educational assessment
• Intervention planning
• Progress monitoring
• Differentiated instruction
• Personalised learning
• Learning support systems
• Provision mapping
• Student progress analysis
• Inclusion team leadership
• Staff coaching
• Professional development
• Parent engagement
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• External specialist liaison
• Resource deployment
• School self-evaluation
• Improvement planning
• Inspection preparation
• UAE education compliance
• Student wellbeing
• Inclusive classroom practice

Why Join Us

This position offers an experienced inclusion professional the scope to influence teaching quality, specialist provision and student outcomes across an entire school rather than within a single classroom or phase. The Inclusion Lead will work directly with senior leadership while retaining close involvement with students, teachers and families, creating a strong platform for broader educational leadership development. GEMS Education provides the scale of an established international education network alongside the individual identity of its schools. The role offers access to a diverse student community, professional collaboration and an environment where inclusion, wellbeing, academic achievement and continuous school improvement are integral to educational delivery.

About the Company

GEMS Education is an international private education provider with an extensive presence in the United Arab Emirates. Its schools educate diverse student communities and combine academic ambition with inclusive education, student wellbeing and professional development. This Dubai opportunity forms part of that commitment to ensuring students with additional learning needs receive structured, personalised and effective educational support.