I urgently need advice

Dear family Merry Christmas

I need advices. I have a big pbm.
I have been living with a friend who got 3 kids. I live in her house with my little baby as well . My friend and I help each other with childcare so when she goes to work i look after her kids and my baby and when i go to work she does the same. She has a bf who look after the kids as well when we are both working.
My friend went to work and left the kids to her bf. That time i went to visit my bf with my kid where I spent 2 days.
My friend bf left a 4 year old at home and went to work. While the two elders were in school,
The postman came and the 4 year old child open the door , the postman called the police and the police removed the kids they went to school and took the elders one one.
My friend called me in the evening the day the kids were taken. I came and we realise how big the situation was. I decided to take the blame bcs my friend didn't want to disclose the presence of the bf in the house. So 3 agree that to help her get the 3 kids back i will testify that I will be the one who left the 4 year old at home alone.
Here is the thing my friend had her kids back within 3 days after i testified but I now going to be charge with a cautions for child cruelty and neglect, this will stay on my criminal records forever.
I have limited leave to remain as a parent of a British child. I understand that there are chances that the home office might not grant me futher leave to remain due to this criminal records.
I have a oral hearing in few months for my daughter who I'm desperately trying to bring here I'm now worried that this criminal records might make the judge or the home office never to let my kid to come here. And futher more i work as a healthcare assistant this criminal records might stop me from working in health fields ever again.
I didn't think of all the consequences when decided to step forward i didn't even know about cautions and all. i just wanted to help my friend to get her kids back as she has helping me to live in her house with my little one for the past 9 months until i found my own place.
But I don't know what to do now I'm seriously thinking of telling the truth to the police, what will happen? If i tell the truth that i wasn't even there and that the bf is the one who left the kid.
Will i be charged anyway bcz i lied to the police?
My friend will she be charged as well bcz she lied that she left the kid with me when in fact she left the kid with her bf.
Will the kids be removed from her ?

Please sorry for the lenght but I have to go back at the police station first week of January to either sign that thing or confess

Please i need ur advices please i cannot afford a lawyer right now.

Thank you

You really messed yourself up to start with!

Save your head first! Go back and retract the statement with a proof that you were at work at the time(you must have a proof) Also any telephone message that can prove the other guy was with the kids would help.

You may still get a caution and may be pardoned! Meanwhile the social services have a note and your records..you might have to call them up as well.

As per your kid coming up..you have to clear yourself of this mess asap!