Special needs child and school

My daughter and I will be moving over to the UK and I am wondering if there are any schools for her to attend.  She is 17 and just in the 10th grade of highschool.  She had brain damage when she was born along with spina bifida.  My husband says all kids leave school at 16 and that there would be no where for her to go.  I do know there are online schools but she really wants to phsically go to school.  Are there any schools she could go to?  Surely there are some kids that have special needs in the UK.

Hi and welcome!  

Assuming your daughter is British and not subject to immigration control (not sure about eligibility if not the case),

you'd need to look at support in further education (FE)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/educationandtraining/highereducation/dg_4000896

I would also suggest you contact the local authority you will be living in on arrival to ask for a common assessment (CAF) from the children's social services department to identify your child's strengths and needs and what supports may be available.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/index.htm

You may  need to also contact the local authority for an occupational therapy (OT) assessment to identify appropriate aids and adaptations to improve ability to access the environment. This link is a bit out of date but summarises the basics:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CaringForADisabledChild/DG_10027594  

Also:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CaringForADisabledChild/DG_10027150

The Spina Bifida charity may also help you negotiate the service terrain here:
http://www.shinecharity.org.uk/

ETA: Oh and Transition Planning for young people:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/Youngdisabledpeople/index.htm 

Best wishes and hope that helps!

MLG  

Speaking of England, if you move before your daughter is 18, you should contact the local authority's Special Educational Needs Team. She may be entitled to education until she is 19 years old and then possibly college for another two years. Other UK countries may vary slightly.

I would also suggest that you contact the local authority's social care department and request a Child in Need Assessment under s17 of the Children Act 1989. Each LA runs their departments differently. Some will have a central referral and assessment team and others will have a disabled children's team that you can refer directly. The website should explain it. As MLG suggested above, CAF is a recognized assessment but as your daughter is 17 years old and time if of the essence, I would recommend that you go for the legal duty for authorities to provide a CIN assessment which may identify support services. They will also signpost you to Transition or adult services as necessary. Do not delay.

Of course this is subject to some sort of leave to remain in this country. These are considered Universal Services like health care that children are entitled to as long as they are a dependent of someone who has leave to remain in the UK.

http://www.cafamily.org.uk/ - great organisation!

Online legal handbook with loads of info!!
http://www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/cdcs-resources/disabled-children-a-legal-handbook

Feel free to PM me if you wish. I am a social worker for a London authority and this is my area of expertise.

MLG and Olive have given you tons of great links, but just so you know, we also have a (hidden) child board under Parenting & Pregnancy - which you can request access to from moderators balmerhon and Petunia

Good luck with your move!