I'm sorry sherrardk. hope this helps. Writing in a rush.
Contact Shelter and they will be able to talk you through both the legal and emotional aspects. (they exist for this type of problem!)
You also need advice about whether you should stop paying rent. In my experience some landlords do not communicate at all when having difficulty (sign!). If you cant get hold of him, act anyway & make your own enquiries.
I understand you should be sent written info too if things are going further but only if someone knows you are there as tenants and it is often done very very close to court time (to my knowledge). It appears he is giving the address as his living add! and you have been there for over 3 yrs!
Although you do not have anything concrete in writing, indicators suggest something is wrong.
You sound really practical Sherrardk - take your time & make a list of all the facts and note things -if you have a rent book or other proof of payment & if up to date, all contact info for landlord, tenancy agreement, did you pay rent in advance -how much?, did you pay a bond - how much? Date of birth of household members, etc - keep them together (as you will need). Then make a list of all your questions.
The lender's relationship is with him not you so do not go worrying unnecessarily. The property is in his name. CAB or Shelter will reassure you here.
you may be advised to book a private appointment with your Housing Options for advice (local to you). This way they have a record of your circimstances and can investigate your case sooner (Shelter cant do this bit) and give you advice as to when would be the best time to have a legal assessment for homelessness (or at risk of losing your home) and if what you think is happening happens then a homeless assessment will be an option & likely to give you priority (from what you say you are at risk and you are likely to tick all the boxes) - if you are paying your rent and can prove it then you can not be deemed to be making yourself intentionally homeless - this is very important and positive for you. They usually see you up to 28 days of you losing your home (+will need proof that you are) - decision takes about a month but ideally you want to plan ahead and sort something before that happens and may not need an assessment at all.
I hope the landlord sorts this (it can happen too).
Some Housing Options depts can help you with a bond to privately rent again and may not do an assessment if you wanted to do this but you'd have to check with them. With a + assessment you would get to the top of the waiting list but whether the size of property was available with a council or Housing association is another matter and a wait likely with bidding etc..and if a reasonable offer came up you may be expected to take it.
In some cases I do know that judges have given landlord's a chance to sell the property - 3 months - 6 months but this doesn't happen everywhere. As you have children at school and need time to find elsewhere that would influence a judge perhaps but without knowing the full story re landlord - it is difficult to predict.
Landlords can sell with sitting tenants ..so you may be staying but just have a new landlord. So this could go a few ways Sh ...
If the landlord wanted to sell quickly at a very good price - would you be interested or in a position to buy? You mentioned credit problems but it might not do any harm checking out if you stood a chance now (CAB) as if he doesn't sell - repossessed anyway. It is often much harder to sell a property with sitting tenants so although he may be given that option it isn't always an easy one.
The landlord may give you notice saying he is selling but again with advice you will know how to handle that one. (I have seen this happen a lot)
& try not to stress Sh.. Good luck.