Miskelly Books
Cover of When You Can’t See Your Child: A Father’s Guide to Family Court, Cafcass and Child Arrangements, by Shaun Miskelly and Danny Miskelly

When You Can’t See Your Child

A Father’s Guide to Family Court, Cafcass and Child Arrangements

By Shaun Miskelly and Danny Miskelly

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Format
Paperback
Publisher
Manpress Publishing
ISBN
978-1-0654163-0-2
Published
21 September 2026
Length
275 pages

Who it is for

The book is for fathers who are in, or about to enter, private children proceedings, or who have lost contact with a child and do not know what happens next. It is also written for the people supporting them.

It explains what is happening, what matters and what does not, how professional language gains weight, how allegations become part of the record, how delay can change a case, how to organise evidence, how to use a solicitor effectively, and when to challenge something without making your position worse.

Contents

Seven parts and thirty-one chapters, with an introduction.

Introduction: Before You Do Anything Else

Part One: The Ground You’re Standing On

  1. Why the Starting Position Isn’t Equal
  2. Allegation, Disclosure, Opinion, Finding
  3. You Are Not the Only One

Part Two: Before You’re In It

  1. The First Contact With Social Services
  2. Building Your Record System
  3. Writing for the File

Part Three: The Court Journey

  1. Do You Actually Need to Apply?
  2. Making or Responding to an Application
  3. The Safeguarding Stage
  4. The First Hearing
  5. Position Statements
  6. Directions and Orders
  7. When Allegations Require Fact-Finding
  8. Section 7 and Other Reports
  9. Preparing Your Evidence
  10. The Final Hearing

Part Four: Inside the Machinery

  1. Read the Language, Not Just the Report
  2. Never Let the Record Speak for You
  3. When a Child Is Asked What They Want
  4. Supervised Contact and Contact Centres
  5. What Are You Actually Paying Your Solicitor For?
  6. The Professional Ecosystem

Part Five: When It Goes Wrong

  1. Complaints: What They Can and Can’t Do For You
  2. Delay Is Not Neutral
  3. Accountability Gaps

Part Six: The Cost, and Managing It

  1. Money: Protecting Yourself Before You Can’t
  2. Your Own Mental Health Through the Process
  3. Keeping the Relationship With Your Child Intact

Part Seven: After the Order

  1. Living With an Order You Disagree With
  2. Correcting the Record Later
  3. If Circumstances Change

Read a sample

Nine pages from the book, including how the wording of professional reports can change what they mean over time, and how to prepare for a first hearing.

Read the sample pages

The book gives general information and practical guidance. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedure change, so check current sources and take advice on your own case. Full disclaimer