Social Worker and Children Contact : Advice Needed

First of all, I am so glad there is something like this exist. So thanks to all who support this forum.

Divorce was always on the cards and we were practically separated for two years. We had heated arguments but at times we were very cool also. We started meditation but stopped after 2 sessions because we felt it was too early as we had not even filed for divorce. We agreed on who will be the petitioner and discussed the form in advance. Things continued to be and up and down. Decree Nisi came and she started provoking me whenever she could almost everyday. Three days later, police came and arrested me for DV and rape charges. Police interviewed me, Defence lawyer told me the wife does not want to go to court and looking at my condition at the time, he advised me to stay quiet during the interview. I was let go in the afternoon next day with NFA by police so no charges were placed on me. I move out of the house but no legal restrictions were placed on my police/law in terms of going and seeing the kids etc.

She and children go to India for few weeks, I too go for one week and families meet together to settle the financial and children aspects. To begin with, I gave an emotional speech saying sorry, regrets that it did not work out but also that may be some day she will also look inside her and contemplate what she has been unto. Other than this there was no contact between us while in India. But two sides manage to agree on financial as well as children. Children will come and stay with me few nights a week with equal time spent during holidays.

We come back from India days apart, I go to see kids often and saw her as well. Never inside the house though. Sometimes on the payment, I spoke to her while standing on the door etc. One day she even called me to find out if I could look after the kids as it was my day off while she had to go to work. On days, I went to outside the previous family home 3 times in a day (to pick, drop etc)

Then comes the social services who gets involved (because of police involvement earlier). There was a children protection conference and child protection plan put in place for initial 3 months. In the conferences, I felt as being treated as a criminal and it has been down hill since then as far as my contact with children is concerned and my commutation with wife has completely stopped and she has completely turned against me. While I was picking/dropping kids just outside the house on the road, social services placed the restrictions that it has to stop.From now, I will see the kids only on weekend at the specific times. Then suddenly, wife started to comply with social services. She said she is scared of me, so will only drop the kids at nearby retail shop. Then next week, she started bringing her friend with her. As if she is cooking up a story in agreement with social workers. I see the kids on every weekend and basically complying with everything. Children (11 and 7) also love me to bits as well and every week ask me when they will start coming to my place. I speak to children every day atlast twice once after the work and once to say good night. They love me, some times call me back and sometimes we even do video calls.

Last week, social workers came to my flat and she started telling me what my wife has been saying about me and that made me say few things about her for the first time.. She told me that they all agree that I am a good dad but she will have to speak to mum, children and teachers etc to decide when they will start coming and staying with me.

yesterday in the core group meeting, social worker told me that I will have to go through a DV-ip course before children come and stay with me. Two days ago, wife solicitor has also contacted me for financial disclosure.

Now so far I have been very depressed about the whole situation and playing with the ball with social services also. I have been thinking that one day social services will get out of the way and me and wife will get to discuss (or fight over in courts) for children on our own. But now I am not sure whether that will be the case. I need help and advice on what to do and how to proceed. Because children are my only reason focus and I have no other purpose in life, not now. My solicitor is already eating my money and I am not even sure whether that money will come from the assets I have or I will have to fetch money from elsewhere. I am in total disarray with no family or good friends in this country.

Please please suggest and help