The United Kingdom is set to spearhead a new international coalition aimed at transforming education for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as revealed exclusively to Metro. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will use her opening address at the Education World Forum today to call on nations to join a UK-led global alliance in 2027.
International SEND Alliance Goals
The alliance will focus on enabling countries to compare policies and collaborate effectively, ensuring that children with SEND do not fall behind their peers. Phillipson told Metro: 'In England and across the world, children with special educational needs are being let down by systems not built for them. The scale of the shared challenge is stark, and the new International SEND Alliance will mean we can learn from each other and chart a path forward.'
Current State of SEND in the UK
Teaching unions and think tanks have long warned that the UK's SEND system is at a breaking point. Over 1.7 million children, or one in five, now have special educational needs, driven by rising rates of autistic spectrum disorders, speech and language problems, and emotional and mental health challenges. Schools face shortages of specialists, costs are escalating, and many parents struggle to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for their child.
Government's Commitment
The government vows that the new alliance will go beyond warm words in reforming SEND education. Throughout a series of summits in 2027, member countries will discuss policy, evaluate successful strategies, and agree on concrete action plans to enhance opportunities for affected children. Phillipson is particularly interested in learning from Norway's approach, which mandates early intervention through compulsory tests and screening from a young age, emphasizes inclusion in mainstream schools, and trains teachers to identify and address needs early.
Phillipson stressed that inclusivity is central to her vision for SEND in the UK: 'The right support, in local schools, without having to fight for it, is what we want to give to every child that needs it in this country. In the end, we can’t have a strong and inclusive society without a strong and inclusive education system.'
Upcoming Events and Reforms
The alliance will convene at UK-hosted events in 2027, including Bett in January, the Education World Forum in May, and the International Summit on the Teaching Profession. This initiative follows a raft of measures already announced by the government to introduce generational reforms to the SEND system. The Education for All Bill, confirmed in the King’s Speech, will focus on early support and protections for SEND children. Ministers will overhaul EHCPs, which will remain only for children with the highest needs, while every SEND child will receive a new Individual Support Plan—a digital record of their support. The government also plans to establish dedicated inclusion bases in schools to offer specialist support for struggling pupils.
Phillipson concluded: 'We are overhauling a broken system that has failed children for too long, through investment, training and a new law to build foundations that can’t be easily reversed. This means listening to the wisdom of young people, parents, carers, teachers and professionals through our public consultation, but the conversation shouldn’t end there.'
