I'd really appreciate advice, or others' past experiences. Fled domestic violence in June, ended up I have the youngest and she's got the oldest, Court ordered that to continue for now. A family friend (now the new partner) has been helping watch mine sometimes when I need to prepare for/attend court since not long after I arrived. I've been living with family but us being there is affecting their kids too much now so it's been looking inevitable I'd be going down to the council for temporary accommodation (don't have a job at the moment as the little one is so young). New partner has suggested we could move in to her house, which makes sense to me. As she and her kids and me and mine have spent quite a lot of the time together since June before it became a relationship we are confident we could all exist in the same space, and having two responsible adults about would mean I could work (my normal job is working from home anyway).
As yet contact between my own children has been in public places with both parents.
I know the abusive ex will not like any of this and no doubt lie about how the relationship impacts our children somehow, but I'm interested more in how the Judge and CAFCASS will view this change. In my mind having a stable family environment, instead of a makeshift space at my sister's will be better for children, and I'll be able to return to work and provide properly financially for them and being at home be able to still spend time with them (with flexible hours I can break up the day so they still get me more every day than if I were having to go out to work).
Thank you for any advice or experiences
Hi,
I would say its good to demonstrate you can provide a stable home and support network for your kids. Living close to your kids and their school, being able to do school runs should help you secure more time with kids, like mid-week overnights. ask Cafcass for these arrangements specifically, like every other weekend, half of school holidays. I would recommend you complete their parenting plan and present it in your S7 interview: https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/parents-and-carers/divorce-and-separation/parenting-together/parenting-plan/
