Hi

You don't say what goes on there..if its serious ie any type of abuse, emotional, physical, sexual or neglect then you must phone your local social services department and they will immediately carry out an assessment of their home environment and like Becky bubbles says they can then determine where and with whom the children are best placed to live. They will take into account the views of the children and they will be appointed a guardian who ensures the childrens views are represented in a court of law. If you can all agree to an arrangement then thats fine otherwise you have no altermative but to go to court I'm afraid. Good Luck!

hi the age of consent is 8 years old, im having problems with trying to send my son to his dads, i have tears n tantrums every week coz he really doesnt want to go so i spoke to a health visitor and a social worker 2 weeks ago. as my son is only 5 1/2  ive had to try and explain to him that i have to keep sending him regardless unless there is a genuine reason like him being in danger  being there and not just that  they dont get on x

Hi there someone in my partners family have been through a simular situatation (last yr) and the child is 8yrs to decide where he/she wants to live! Well thats how it works where i live any way.  

im a mum not a dad and not to put a dampner on things but...

my parents divorced when i was 4, my mum kidnapped me, hit my, dunked me if scalding baths etc.

i told the courts i did not want to live with her, i ran away on numerous occasions yet she was still awarded custody despite not having anywhere to live at the time.

the minute i turned 16 i moved in with my dad and havent spoken to my mum since. she hasnt seen my son, or my daughter and i am now pregnant for a 3rd time - and she will NEVER see my children.

i would like to add that this information may be from my dad but not once did my dad or his family ever bad mouth my mum so i know all of this is true.

i hope your partner gets awarded custody.

deffo 8 years old .. i was 8 when i chose who to live with xx

from 8 yearsold, a child's voice is considered in legal matters.the power of their voice increases with ages so as they grow what they say hasmore weight.if it is you believe his kids are at risk get legal advice and dont leave them at risk, but make sure its him thinking this as much as you in case the ex goes nasty as some do. as partof childrens rights they have a say in all matters such as this and chances are if the present home they have is unstable your partner may get custody as you have a secure home and relationship and could provide care to the level the children deserve, but any court will try to keep kids with their birth mother unless it is unsafe to do so as is the present law. good luck and do whats right!

PS to answer the question, I don't think that there is a legal age any more (a court may decide that a child is Gillick Competant - that means that they appear mature enough to make significant decisions about themselves - google it i'm sure you'll find a better definition), as if it goes to court they have the duty that I was referring to.  Also, your partner will need to clarify his situation in relation to Parental Responsibility (if they were married he will automatically have it, if not judging by their ages he will need to seek legal advice in order to apply for it, its a pretty simple and easy process) then I guess if they do come to live with you both, a Residence Order may be needed to secure the children with you (again talk to a solicitor).

I hope this info has been useful to you!!

Again not a boy but do have some knowledge through my profession about this.  If you go through the courts system they have a duty to consider the ascertainable 'wishes and feelings' of all children irrespective of age, this doesn't mean that if it is clear that children will be safer with Dad but want to live with mum then they will stay with her or vise versa, as their welfare must come first.  Where there is dispute between parents in the family courts children will be provided with their own advocates, known as a Childrens guardian, it is their job to represent the best interests of the child and to present to the court their wishes (google CAFCASS their website explains their role better than I can).  If there are concerns about the mothers home in terms of the childrens safety or welfare, then the court may ask that social services do an assessment of one (or both homes), this is not as scary as it sounds and does not mean that the kids will be whipped off into care, it would be a general assessment of the strengths and weaknesses/risk and protective factors and this would be presented to the court to aid them in their decision making.  I would strongly suggest that you seek legal advice, and guidance in relation to what is the next step for your partner and his children.

well are the kids wanna to say where there are or the kids whating to come and stay with you in my eyes i would ask the kids and the go and see some one about it and see what they say about it i would go and see some one about it some 1 that can give you some more info on it to tell you the truth   hope every thing is gose ok for you alllllllll

i think its 10 but if you do it without lawyers and amicably between yoursleves would his ex agree to it or maybe for you to have them 4 or 5 days and her to have them 2 or 3 days?

When my Mum and dad divorced years ago I was 10 when it got sorted with the lawyers but my sister (4 yrs younger) couldn't....

So to cut along story short......

11 years ago it was 10 years old

I thought it was 10 or 11, unless its changed.

hi, i am not 100% but i think its seven yrs, by that age they should know what they want hth xx

im not a dad but my partner has 2 kids from a diff woman they are 6 and 7 and the kids are not happy at home lot of stuff goes on t there home he would like to take them on full time but we dont know what is the legal age they can make that choice dont suppose anyone here would know this having been through this would love any help thankyou