From bullying to online safety: What Dubai's new school safeguarding framework covers

Dubai: Private schools and other educational institutions in Dubai will have to follow new safeguarding requirements aimed at protecting learners, identifying potential risks earlier and ensuring concerns are properly reported and addressed.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced the Policy Framework for Safeguarding and Learner Protection in Dubai’s Private Educational Institutions, setting out mandatory requirements for how institutions prevent, identify and respond to safeguarding concerns.

The framework also establishes clearer responsibilities for school leaders, staff and governing bodies, with a phased implementation period of up to 12 months.

Here is what the new framework means, how it will work and what happens if institutions fail to comply.

The framework establishes a common set of safeguarding standards across Dubai's private education sector. It focuses on four areas:

Safeguarding will no longer be treated solely as the responsibility of a designated staff member. It must be integrated into an institution's policies, leadership, recruitment, training and everyday practices.

The framework applies to all KHDA-licensed and permitted private educational institutions, including - early childhood centres and nurseries, private schools, higher education institutions and training and vocational institutes It covers both in-person and virtual learning environments.

The framework applies to learners aged 21 and under. For those aged 18 to 21, institutions must identify concerns, provide support and follow internal reporting procedures.What types of safeguarding concerns does it cover?

The framework addresses a wide range of risks affecting learners' safety and wellbeing, including:

Institutions must also establish appropriate digital safety controls and provide learners with age-appropriate online safety education.

Although safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, the framework introduces specific roles to strengthen accountability.

1. Safeguarding Governor - Every institution must appoint a Safeguarding Governor at board or governing body level. This person will provide independent oversight, monitor safeguarding arrangements and challenge shortcomings. The Safeguarding Governor cannot be the institution's owner, principal, senior executive or operational safeguarding lead.

2. Head of the institution - The principal or institutional head will hold executive accountability and be directly answerable to KHDA for compliance.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead - Institutions must appoint a Child Protection Coordinator or Designated Safeguarding Lead (CPC/DSL), supported by at least two deputies. They will help coordinate safeguarding concerns and responses. Institutions must also establish safeguarding teams with specialist support. Importantly, assigning these duties to individual staff members does not remove the institution's overall responsibility.

One of the framework's key requirements is ensuring safeguarding concerns are reported promptly, even when there is no confirmed evidence of harm.

Staff do not need proof before reporting a concern. If they have reasonable suspicion or information that raises concern, they must report it without delay. Staff must not investigate allegations themselves, wait for certainty or assume someone else has already reported the issue.

When a learner discloses abuse or neglect, staff must listen calmly, take the concern seriously, assess immediate safety risks and follow the appropriate reporting procedures. They must not promise secrecy, ask leading questions or independently investigate the incident.

Institutions must also:

Students must also have appropriate opportunities to raise concerns and express their views about matters affecting their safety.

Institutions must maintain written policies covering safeguarding, anti-bullying, attendance, behaviour, digital safety, inclusion, safer recruitment, emergency planning and other required areas. 

They must also introduce appropriate pre-employment checks and safeguarding training.

Additional role-specific training is required for staff working in settings such as transport, sports, boarding, digital environments and one-to-one provision. 

Staff, parents and learners must be consulted when key safeguarding policies are developed or reviewed.

The framework has a two-stage implementation process, calculated from its publication date.

Immediately: Requirements that protect learners straight away, or are already required under UAE law or existing KHDA regulations, apply from the effective date.

Within 12 months: Institutions must implement requirements involving new governance structures, systems, documents and other arrangements.

Some deadlines are shorter:

KHDA will review institutions' progress during the transition period.

KHDA monitors and enforces compliance with the Policy Framework through the following mechanisms:

Failure to follow mandatory safeguarding requirements can lead to regulatory and professional consequences.

These may include:

Failing to report or deliberately ignoring safeguarding concerns can constitute severe professional misconduct. 

The policy framework is based on the principles of Wadeema Law (Federal Law No. 3 of 2016) and builds on existing legislation, policies and frameworks in Dubai and across the UAE aimed at protecting children and safeguarding their rights. It also supports the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Education 33 Strategy by strengthening the environments in which learners spend their formative years.