Marriage breakdown - help/advice needed

[BAAHBAAH]

Hello wise ones I really need some help/advice. I have been married 8 years to my husband. Throughout the marriage he has been verbally and emotionally abusive, belittled me, damaged relationships with my family etc. I stupidly had 2 children with him who are now 8 and 6 years old and they are the only good thing to come from thjs relationship. This morning I told him the marriage was over, he initially left but whilst I was at work he returned and started to send me messages, at first pleading , then when I told him it was definitely over the gaslighting started, telling me I don't know what I am saying, I am over emotional etc. He eventually left again just before the children cane home from school, on the side he left a note indicating he would not see them again and my 8 year old saw the note.
I've found out he's been taking drugs at his mother's house (which explains a lot) and he's now there playing the victim and has sent a message basically stating he will not be in contact.
Our home is rented from the local authority, tenancy in my name only but I think he has rights as we are married? I can't take the verbal and emotional abuse any more and need to protect my children - what steps can I take to do this? I know I need to apply for it universal credit - he is very likely to be a dick about paying any money towards the children, is there somewhere I have to go through to try to secure maintenance?
I'm probably making very little sense, I am running on auto pilot and just struggling to get my head around what I need to do. I am also worried as he's still got keys to access the house :(

Family lives matters can help with all the questions you have about legalities etc. You can call Woman’s aid as you experienced abuse also ask about “The Freedom programme , as well as the YouTube videos thrive after abuse.

My heart goes out to you. Well done for taking the steps forward to end the relationship, both you and your child/children deserve better. For the child maintenance, see if this might help you - https://iamlip.com/the-process-of-child-maintenance/ it helped me figure out what to do for it.
You might also find some of your other questions answered on this website too. I used it during my divorce as I couldn't afford a solicitor and the website's help guides guided me through the whole process. Hope this can help x

Thank you for your messages. He walked into the bedroom at 00.30 expecting to get into bed, that didn't happen. Luckily my daughter was on bed with me so he eventually left the room. He came in again three times more and has just woken me up acting like nothing is wrong and he's doing all the household stuff he never does. I told him how he scared us coming into the room and he said he 'had to be home' because the temptation was too much and he felt his head would explode' and then asked if I still hated him.. well yes, funnily enough after 8 years of all his shit I hate him and that won't change. I've left the room now, I can her him crying in there and repeatedly saying he needs one more chance .. just like all the other times before. The difference is this time I won't give in because he's truly shat over everything we ever had. I may feel overwhelmed and sad for the way it's ended but I would rather struggle alone that subject my children to this shit until the are adults and escape. Now to get my head together and deal with this until I leave for work... hopefully he doesn't go into nasty mode before then :(

Urghh it must be awful having to listen to his pathetic shit. Stay strong 💪 x

Serve him divorce papers asap so he knows you are being serious.
Report any abuse to the police asap and have him removed. Mention the drug use and you being scared if he escalates.
Talk to the school and get the girls counselling if needed.
Get a friend or family member to
listen when you need to remain strong.
I can’t help with the house - hopefully others can.

I wish you well with your future.

Thank you again for your messages. I have made the initial report to the police and there will be a lot more involvement from them to come I think. I can't really put details on here but when the police eventually speak to him I know the shit will well and truly hit the fan and I am dreading it all. At least now though he cannot possibly delude himself that I am going to change my mind :(