Learning Support Assistant (LSA) / Shadow Teacher (UAE)

Published May 27, 2026

What an LSA (also called a "shadow teacher") is, how the role works in UAE schools, who pays, and the rules schools must follow when charging parents.

A Learning Support Assistant (LSA) — also called a shadow teacher — is an adult who works one-to-one with a child in a mainstream classroom, helping them follow lessons, manage transitions, regulate behaviour, and meet the targets in their Individual Education Plan (IEP). For many autistic children and children with other additional needs, an LSA is what makes inclusion in a mainstream school possible.

<h3>Who hires the LSA?</h3>There are two common arrangements in the UAE:<ul><li>School-hired LSA: the school employs and supervises the LSA, and bills the parent through the school fees (or as a separate, registered charge).</li><li>Parent-hired LSA: the parent recruits and pays the LSA directly. The school must approve and integrate them into the classroom.</li></ul>Costs vary widely depending on the LSA's qualifications, the school, and the level of support needed. Always ask the school for a written breakdown before signing.

<h3>The rules in Dubai (KHDA)</h3>Dubai's <a target="blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://web.khda.gov.ae/en/about-us/about-khda/inclusive-education">KHDA Inclusive Education</a> framework regulates LSA fees:<ul><li>A school can only charge an extra LSA fee through a registered Individualised Service Agreement filed with KHDA.</li><li>The fee must reflect actual cost, not arbitrary mark-ups, and KHDA must approve it.</li><li>Schools that ask families to provide an LSA as a condition of admission must justify this to KHDA.</li></ul>

<h3>The rules in Abu Dhabi (ADEK)</h3><ul><li>ADEK's inclusion policy emphasises qualified inclusion teachers (not just support staff) and in-school therapy services covered by Thiqa for eligible families.</li><li>If a school cannot accommodate a child even with an LSA, it must submit an "inability to accommodate notification" with written evidence — ADEK then reviews.</li></ul>

<h3>What to ask before you commit</h3><ul><li>Is the LSA fee registered with KHDA (Dubai) or covered under ADEK's framework (Abu Dhabi)?</li><li>What are the LSA's qualifications and prior experience with autism/ADHD/your child's profile?</li><li>How does the LSA coordinate with the class teacher and the SEN/inclusion team?</li><li>How often will you, as a parent, receive progress updates against the IEP?</li><li>What happens if the LSA leaves mid-year — who covers the gap?</li></ul>

This is an informational guide for parents, not a service offered by a single organisation. For policy authority, refer to KHDA (Dubai), ADEK (Abu Dhabi), or SPEA (Sharjah).

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