Child Trust Funds and Junior ISAs: what you need to know

Tips by Triodos Bank

22 September 2026

Child Trust Funds (CTFs) were launched in 2005 as a savings scheme backed by the government. Over 6 million accounts were opened, but recent reports suggest that around £1.5 billion in CTF savings remain unclaimed, and the FCA is urging young people to check if they have forgotten funds waiting for them.

This article is intended to be helpful, however it is not financial advice.

How do I know if my child has a Child Trust Fund?

Anyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may have a Child Trust Fund.

Some accounts were set up by HMRC, so you may not know who the provider was, or they may have rebranded or moved since it was created. You can search for one for free, even if you don’t know the provider, on the Gov UK website.

Some companies, including those advertising on social media, are offering to find and claim CTFs on people’s behalf. However, many of these will charge a large fee, and you don’t need to pay anyone to look for a CTF on your behalf.

What happens to unclaimed CTFs?

There is no automatic payout with a CTF, which means the young person will need to actively claim their money when they turn 18. The FCA is investigating whether providers are doing enough to contact young people to tell them about their CTF.

The Government contributed between £250-500, so there may be money in a CTF even if no one else paid into it.

What’s the difference between a CTF and a Junior ISA?

CTFs were phased out in 2011 and replaced by Junior ISAs. Both provide tax-free growth and an annual allowance for the child. Both Junior ISAs and CTFs allow you to hold cash savings or investments for your child.

One of the main differences with a Junior ISA is that the money is transferred directly into an adult ISA when a child turns 18 without any tax implications, whereas money in a CTF needed to be withdrawn or reinvested separately.

Can a child have both a CTF and a Junior ISA?

No, you cannot have a CTF and a Junior ISA for the same child at the same time, however you can transfer a CTF into a Junior ISA. You might want to do that for a few reasons:

Junior ISA providers may offer a wider range of investment options
Junior ISA providers may have lower fees
Easier management when the child turns 18

Why choose a Triodos Junior ISA?

Whether you want to save or invest for your child, every pound can benefit your child’s future. But it can also be doing good now. It can support the kind of world you want your child to grow up in.

With a Triodos Junior ISA, money does far more than sit in an account. It helps fund projects or invest in companies that match the values you want your child to inherit: fairness, responsibility and caring for nature.