What does a Learning Support Assistant actually do in a Dubai classroom?

Most parents hear "Learning Support Assistant" before they ever see one in action, which makes the role feel vaguer than it is. In practice, an LSA sits alongside a child in class — not to do the work for them, but to help them access it.

A typical day

An LSA follows the class timetable with the child, stepping in during the moments that are hardest: transitions between subjects, instructions given too fast, group work that needs breaking down. The goal is always independence, not permanent presence — a good LSA works themselves toward doing less over time, not more.

What briefing looks like

Before an LSA ever meets your child, they should have read the care plan, understood the specific goals, and spoken with the clinical lead about strategies that work. At Special Minds, that briefing happens before day one, not during it.

Working with the school

An effective LSA coordinates directly with the class teacher and SENCO — sharing what's working, flagging what isn't, and adjusting the approach as the term goes on. If your child's LSA never talks to the teacher, that's worth raising.

If you're weighing up whether your child needs this kind of support, our LSA & shadow teacher services page covers what to expect and how placements are supervised.