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Form 84.40L – Notice Of Application To Discharge A Special Care Order And Make A Care Order - Child Care Act 1991

Form 84.40L is used to apply to discharge a Special Care Order and make a Care Order for a child under the Child Care Act 1991. This form initiates a legal process to change the type of court order affecting a child's care arrangements.

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Form Overview

Form 84.40L – Notice Of Application To Discharge A Special Care Order And Make A Care Order - Child Care Act 1991

Form 84.40L is used to apply to discharge a Special Care Order and make a Care Order for a child under the Child Care Act 1991. This form initiates a legal process to change the type of court order affecting a child's care arrangements.

The form captures information about the child, the existing Special Care Order, reasons for seeking discharge, and grounds for making a new Care Order, along with supporting evidence and declarations.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is failing to provide sufficient evidence demonstrating why the Special Care Order is no longer appropriate for the child.
  • Incomplete form may lead to delays in court processing
  • Missing supporting evidence could weaken your application
  • Incorrect information about the child's current situation
  • Failure to properly notify all relevant parties

Plain English

This form helps you ask the court to end a Special Care Order and replace it with a Care Order. Special Care Orders are for children with serious behavioral or mental health needs, while Care Orders provide protection and care arrangements for children at risk.

Submission Date

  • There is no fixed deadline for this form, but it should be submitted as soon as there are valid grounds to discharge the Special Care Order. The court will set timelines once the application is filed.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

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What this form is for

  • Use when a child is currently under a Special Care Order but needs different care arrangements
  • Use when a Special Care Order was made based on circumstances that have significantly changed
  • Use when a child needs ongoing protection but no longer requires the intensive supervision of a Special Care Order
  • Use when transitioning a child from a Special Care Order to a less restrictive Care Order
  • Do not use for initial applications for care orders - use Form 84 instead

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Initial application for a Care OrderForm 84For first-time care orders, not for changing existing ordersCheck if this is your first application or a modification of an existing order
Application to vary an existing Care OrderForm 84.41For modifying terms of an existing Care Order, not for changing order typesDetermine if you're changing the order type or just its terms
Application to discharge a Care OrderForm 84.42For ending a Care Order entirely, not replacing it with another typeConfirm you want to replace the order, not end it
Urgent application for Special Care OrderForm 84.38For emergency situations requiring immediate interventionEnsure this is not an urgent matter requiring expedited processing
Application for Supervision OrderForm 84.39For less intensive court supervision than a Care OrderConsider if a Care Order is more appropriate than a Supervision Order

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed deadline for this form, but it should be submitted as soon as there are valid grounds to discharge the Special Care Order. The court will set timelines once the application is filed.

Before you submit

  • Complete all sections of the form with accurate information
  • Attach supporting evidence demonstrating why the Special Care Order should be discharged
  • Include the child's current care plan and assessment
  • Verify all parties to the application have been properly identified
  • Prepare copies of the form and supporting documents for all relevant parties
  • Check that the application is being submitted to the correct court
  • Ensure proper methods for serving documents on all parties will be used

How to file this form

  1. 1Obtain the correct version of Form 84.40L from the Courts Service website or court office
  2. 2Complete the form with all required information about the child and current circumstances
  3. 3Gather supporting evidence and documentation for your application
  4. 4Make copies of the completed form and all supporting documents
  5. 5Submit the original form to the appropriate court office or through the electronic filing system
  6. 6Arrange for proper service of copies on all relevant parties as required by court rules
  7. 7Keep copies of all submitted documents and proof of filing for your records

Known limitations

  • This form cannot be used to apply for an initial Special Care Order or Care Order
  • The court may require additional information not covered by this form
  • Electronic filing options may not be available for all court locations
  • The form does not replace the need for legal advice in complex cases
  • Court processing times can vary significantly and are not guaranteed

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Current Form Status

This form is current as of the Child Care Act 1991, but court procedures and forms may be updated. Check the Courts Service website for the most recent version before filing.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Verify you're using the most recent version of Form 84.40L from the Courts Service website
  • Check if recent amendments to the Child Care Act 1991 affect this form
  • Confirm court filing procedures haven't changed recently
  • Ensure electronic filing options are still available if planning to submit online
  • Check if any additional documentation requirements have been added

Quick Facts

This form should be filed by a person or organization seeking to change a child's legal care status from a Special Care Order to a Care Order, typically social workers, legal representatives, or other authorized parties involved in the child's case.
The form captures information about the child, the existing Special Care Order, reasons for seeking discharge, and grounds for making a new Care Order, along with supporting evidence and declarations.
Submit this form when circumstances have changed significantly since the Special Care Order was made, or when it's no longer appropriate for the child to remain under a Special Care Order but ongoing care protection is still needed.
Submit this form to the relevant District Court or Family Court dealing with the child's case, either in person at the court office, by post, or through the Courts Service's electronic filing system if available.
Submitting correctly ensures the court has all necessary information to make informed decisions about the child's welfare. Errors or delays could result in unnecessary continuation of inappropriate care arrangements or extended legal processes.
Complete all sections of the form with accurate information about the child and current circumstances. Attach any relevant supporting documents. Make copies for your records before submitting. If unsure about legal requirements, seek advice from a solicitor or the Citizens Information Board.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
18/10/25

Form 84.40L – Notice Of Application To Discharge A Special Care Order And Make A Care Order - Child Care Act 1991

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After you file

  • Track the court's acknowledgment of your application
  • Prepare for any court hearings that may be scheduled
  • Monitor for any requests for additional information from the court
  • Keep records of all communications with the court and other parties
  • Be prepared to attend court hearings and provide evidence as required
  • Follow up with the court for the final decision on your application

Source and verification log

  • Form name and number: Courts Service of Ireland
  • Issuing agency: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
  • Legal basis: Child Care Act 1991
  • Purpose: Discharge Special Care Order and make Care Order
  • Not confirmed in official source: Specific court locations accepting electronic filing
  • Not confirmed in official source: Current processing times
  • Not confirmed in official source: Most recent version date
  • Not confirmed in official source: Specific documentation requirements

Common confusion points

8 things to watch for

  • 1

    Confusing this form with Form 84 for initial care order applications

  • 2

    Unclear about what constitutes sufficient grounds to discharge a Special Care Order

  • 3

    Not understanding the difference between a Special Care Order and a Care Order

  • 4

    Uncertain about which court has jurisdiction over the application

  • 5

    Confusion about proper service requirements for all parties

  • 6

    Not realizing the child's views must be considered in the application

  • 7

    Misunderstanding the timeline for court processing and decisions

  • 8

    Unclear about what supporting documentation is required

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