Form 84.38 –  Order To / Vary / Discharge A Care Order A / Condition / Direction Attaching To A Care Order

What this form is for

• • Use this form when the court needs to make a new care order
• • Use this form when an existing care order needs to be changed or varied
• • Use this form when a care order needs to be ended or discharged
• • Use this form when specific conditions need to be attached to a care order
• • Do not use this form for emergency protection orders or other interim measures

Use this form or another form?

Deadline or filing window

Care order proceedings typically follow strict court timelines, with initial applications usually requiring submission at least 7 days before the hearing date. Always check with the court clerk for specific deadlines in your case.

Before you submit

• • All sections of the form are completed
• • Child's personal details are accurate and up-to-date
• • Care arrangements are clearly described
• • Any conditions attached to the order are specific and achievable
• • All relevant parties have been identified
• • Supporting documents are attached as required
• • Form has been signed by the authorized person

How to file this form

1. 1Obtain the correct version of Form 84.38 from the Courts Service website or court office
2. 2Complete all sections with accurate information about the child and proposed care arrangements
3. 3Gather any supporting documents that may be relevant to the court's decision
4. 4Submit the completed form to the appropriate court office either in person or by mail
5. 5Keep a copy of the submitted form for your records
6. 6Attend any scheduled court hearings related to the care order

Known limitations

• • This form cannot be used to initiate emergency protection measures
• • The form must be used in conjunction with proper court procedures
• • Not all care order applications may require this specific form
• • The form does not replace the need for legal advice in complex cases