Occupational Therapist At Safa Community School

Job Overview

POST: Occupational Therapist at Safa Community School, Dubai

Safa Community School - a beacon of excellence. In 2024, we were honoured with the ‘Happiest School in the UAE’ title, a testament to our commitment towards student well-being. In addition, we were proud recipients of the ‘Value Add, Leaving No Child Behind Award’, reflecting our dedication to academic progress. This was further underscored by our 2024 GCSE VA score of +2.2. Our high staff retention rates and inclusion in the top 15 Schools in the UAE by the Schoolscompared.com survey are a source of pride for us all.

At Safa Community School, we are more than just a school-we are a community. With a parent body comprising Expats, including around 35% from the UK, we have fostered a reputation for being a friendly, warm, and community-oriented school. Our positive relationships among staff, parents, and students are a testament to our inclusive approach, making everyone feel welcomed and part of a larger family. This sense of belonging sets us apart and should make you feel at home in our school.

Safa Community School is not just another school but an award-winning all-through UK curriculum school, from FS1 to Year 13, with 2,640. Follow our school Instagram channel for a glimpse into our vibrant community showcasing student achievements, community events, and much more at safa_scs. Discover how we nurture talent, foster creativity, and build a thriving environment for every student.

Safa Community School is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced Occupational Therapist to join our whole-school Inclusion team on a full-time basis. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a leading British curriculum school committed to inclusive practice, high student outcomes and holistic support for all learners. Safa Community School is a high-performing British curriculum school in Dubai with a strong commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and personalised learning. Our Inclusion Department operates across Foundation Stage, Primary and Secondary phases, working collaboratively to ensure equitable access to education and meaningful participation for all students. Our approach aligns with the Dubai Inclusive Education Framework and KHDA guidance, and is rooted in proactive, evidence-based support.

This role is being advertised as part of our strategic growth to meet increasing student enrollment and programme demand.

Role Overview

The Occupational Therapist will work as part of the Inclusion team, collaborating with colleagues, parents, external professionals and students to enhance participation, independence and access to the curriculum.

Key Responsibilities Include

Assessment and Intervention

• Conduct functional, sensory, motor and environmental assessments to identify barriers to participation and learning.
• Deliver evidence-informed individual and small-group interventions tailored to student needs.
• Support students in areas such as fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, self-regulation, sensory processing, activities of daily living skills and executive functioning.
  
  

• Work closely with SENDCos, teachers, Learning Support Assistants and other therapists to integrate OT strategies into classroom practice.
• Contribute to Individual Education Plans, Individualised Service Agreements and other personal learning plans.
• Provide professional advice and recommendations to school staff, parents and carers.
  
  

• Provide training, modelling and coaching to colleagues to embed supportive strategies and build whole-school capacity.
• Support transition planning and continuity of support across phases.
  
  

• Maintain accurate professional records, reports and sensory profiles in accordance with school policy and professional regulation.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding procedures and ethical practice.
  
  

• Recognised qualification in Occupational Therapy.
• Registration with the relevant professional regulatory authority (for example: HCPC or equivalent).
• Eligibility to work in the UAE
• Current DHA registration or eligibility to register (essential).
  
  

• At least two year’s experience working with children and young people, ideally in educational or multidisciplinary settings.
• Delivering 1:1 and group therapy for students with a wide range of physical, sensory, and developmental needs.
• Strong knowledge of sensory processing, motor development, Pre-academic skills, and emotional regulation interventions.
• Experience working with students with autism, developmental delays, or multiple learning needs.
• Experience working in SEND schools and/or Centres.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and documentation skills.
• A proactive, flexible and compassionate approach to therapy and inclusive education.
• Advise staff on strategies, techniques, and accommodations to use in classroom settings
• Provide in-service training and workshops to staff and community as needed.
• Experienced in the assessment and treatment of Sensory Integration Differences.
• Preferable experience using assessment tools such as: Sensory profiles, Sensory Processing Measure, BeeryVMI, BOT Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC), Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS), Ayres’ Clinical Observations, Griffiths.
• Preferable experience in using PECS, Makaton, DIR Floortime, Intensive Interaction and the SCERTS system.
  
  

• Ability to work collaboratively with educators, therapists, families and external professionals.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Collaborating closely with the in-house Speech and Language Therapist, SEN teachers, and support staff.
• Ability to translate clinical knowledge into practical school-based strategies.
• Organised, reflective, proactive and solution-focused approach.
• Working closely with families to promote consistency between home and school. Consulting with parents regarding activities and/or strategies to use at home to assist with student development of physical skills, motor skills and life skills.
  
  

• Experience within British curriculum or international school environments.
• Understanding of educational planning and assessment frameworks.
  
  

• All applications must be submitted on the TES/Schrole Portal. Only applications submitted through the Portal will be considered.
• Only applications with relevant experience will be considered.
• Submit an up to date, full resume / CV.
• Submit a covering letter of no more than two A4 pages.
• Provide at least three referees’ names, telephone numbers (with international dialling codes), and email addresses. One must be a current employer.
• Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews may occur at any stage after applications are received. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date and therefore invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
• Once initial interviews are concluded, arrangements will be made individually with those candidates who will proceed to the second round of interviews.
• A demonstration lesson will be required.