A PEDMORE teenager was the toast of Westminster when a government minister thanked her for helping to mould the biggest special educational needs reforms in a generation.

Disability campaigner, Hannah Morgan, who is paralysed on the right-hand side of her body after she got meningitis as a baby, was one of children and families minister Edward Timpson’s guests of honour at a Department for Education reception in Lancaster House, to mark the landmark policy changes.

The reforms, which came into practice on September 1, give families greater choice in decisions and ensure needs are properly met by creating a system that extends rights and protection to young people by introducing a new education, health and care plan.

Prior to the reforms, 17-year-old Hannah regularly met with education officials to give feedback about what she felt the special educational needs and disability (SEND) community required.

Hannah said: “I think hearing from young people with special educational needs or disabilities is important. I think it helps the government, because they need to know what it is like from people who have experienced it themselves.

“On a personal level, I think being involved has made me much more confident in myself and what I can achieve.”

She became involved in shaping the reforms due to her membership in the Council for Disabled Children’s Equality, Participation, Influencing and Change (EPIC) group.

As well as discussing the reform with the government, they have also created films and leaflets to update other children with SEND about the changes.

Mr Timpson said: "Hannah has helped us to deliver reforms that will help millions of children who have special educational needs.

“This is the beginning of a journey, but we’ve got off to a great start and for that we’re all thankful to everyone for their help.”