Junior ISA /CTF guidance

For Local Authority partners

Working together to build long-term savings for young people in care

The Share Foundation works in partnership with every local authority across the UK to help eligible young people access savings, develop financial confidence and build life skills that can support them to prepare for adult life.

Local authorities play a vital role in ensuring that children and young people in care can benefit from their Child Trust Fund (CTF) or Junior ISA (JISA).

What The Share Foundation does

We are appointed by the Department for Education to:

  • Set up and oversee Junior ISAs for eligible children and young people in care

  • Manage Child Trust Fund arrangements for young people in care where there is no adult in position of Parental Responsibility

  • Support young people to understand and access their accounts

  • Deliver financial education and life skills programmes

  • Raise additional funds to enhance savings where possible

 A young person may be eligible for a Junior ISA if they:

  • Have been continuously in care for at least 12 months

  • Do not already have a Child Trust Fund

Eligible accounts receive an initial £200 Government contribution.

A young person will likely have a Child Trust Fund if they:

  • Were born in the UK between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011

  • Were eligible via the Government’s Child Benefit scheme

Since 2017, The Share Foundation has been responsible for overseeing Child Trust Fund arrangements for eligible children and young people in care where there is no adult in a position of parental responsibility, working closely with local authorities, HMRC and account providers to ensure accounts can be located and accessed.

What we need from Local Authorities

To ensure eligible young people receive the support and savings they are entitled to, local authorities provide us Regular Data Returns.

We ask local authorities to securely share the core information required for us to confirm eligibility, open JISA accounts in their names, maintain accurate records, and ensure we can support young people as they approach adulthood to claim their accounts.

For further information on our regular data submissions, please refer to seminar 2.

Supporting young people at key stages

  • This is an important period for helping young people:

    • Understand their savings

    • Build up life skills and earn financial rewards at the same time

    • Learn about managing money

    • Prepare to take control of their account at 16

  • Young people can begin managing their own account and making investment decisions. If a young person needs to locate their account, they can do this for FREE with support from us at The Share Foundation. Please signpost young people to our Find your account page.

  • The account becomes fully accessible to the young person.

    Supporting a smooth transition at this stage is essential to ensure they can access and make informed decisions about their savings. See our Action for 18+ page.

Keeping you informed

To ensure eligible young people receive the support and savings they are entitled to, local authorities provide us Regular Data Returns.

We provide regular reporting between us at The Share Foundation and local authorities to help you monitor and support young people effectively.

Reports include:

  • Account status and eligibility

  • Contributions received

  • Current account values

  • Educational resources relevant to the young person's age

This information helps local authorities keep carers and young people informed about their savings and opportunities. For further information on our valuation reporting, please feel free to look at Seminar 6.

Guidance Leaflets

We know that every young person's circumstances are unique. That's why we've created local authority guidance and support for a range of situations and transitions that young people, families, carers and professionals may experience.
Please choose the account type that is relevant for your young person.


Here you can find further information leaflets for…

  1. Birth parents: JISA - CTF

  2. Return to birth parents: JISA or CTF

  3. Foster carers: JISA or CTF

  4. Adopting families: JISA or CTF

  5. Young people under 16: JISA or CTF

  6. Young people aged 16: JISA or CTF

  7. Carers of young people aged 16: JISA or CTF

  8. Young people aged 18: JISA or CTF

  9. Carers of young people aged 18: JISA or CTF

  10. Children becoming non-resident: JISA or CTF

  11. Those caring for a terminally ill child: JISA or CTF

  12. Those who cared for a child that has died: JISA or CTF

  13. Local authority care worker: JISA or CTF

  14. Residential care workers: JISA or CTF

  15. Friends and family who are carers: JISA or CTF

Need support?

Our team is here to help. Whether you need support with eligibility, account administration, young people approaching 18, or financial education programmes, please get in touch. Call 01296 310400 or email info@sharefound.org.

Your questions, answered

  • Local authorities can authorise us to communicate directly with:

    • Young people

    • Foster carers

    • Personal advisers

    • Other appropriate adults supporting the young person

    This enables us to provide account information, guidance and educational support directly where appropriate.

  • The Share Foundation obtains independent financial advice regarding investment arrangements until the young person becomes eligible to take control of their account.

  • No. The money belongs to the young person and can only be accessed by them once they turn 18, except in very limited circumstances.

  • Yes. Contributions can be made by family members, friends and other supporters, subject to annual account limits.