Investing for children

Investing for children is about turning small, regular amounts into meaningful sums over time. Whether you are a parent, grandparent or other family member, the choices you make now can help give a child more options later in life. We explain how investing for children works, which accounts are available and how to build a plan that fits your family.

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Why invest for children?

Children have one big advantage as investors - time. Money set aside when they are young has many years to grow. A modest monthly contribution can help with future education costs, a first home deposit or simply a stronger financial start. We help you decide how much to invest, where to hold it and how to stay on track.

Which accounts can you use?

There are several ways to invest for children, including Junior ISAs, designated General Investment Accounts, children’s pensions and family trusts. Each has different rules on access, tax and who controls the money. We talk you through the options in plain language and suggest a combination that matches your aims for the child.

How we help with investing for children
01
Understand your intentions

We discuss who you want to invest for, what you would like the money to help with and how much you can sensibly set aside.

02
Review existing plans and gifts

We look at any accounts already in place for the child, past gifts and your wider financial position, to see what is working well and what could be improved.

03
Explain your account options

We outline the main choices, such as Junior ISAs, children’s pensions, GIAs and trusts, and how each works in terms of tax, control and access.

04
Design an age appropriate strategy

We recommend a structure and investment mix that reflects the child’s age, your time frame, your tolerance for risk and how flexible you want the plan to be.

05
Set up and manage the investments

If you decide to move forward, we arrange the accounts, regular contributions, transfers and investments needed to follow the agreed plan.

06
Review as the child grows

We can revisit the plan over time, adjusting contributions, investment risk and account choices as the child’s needs and your situation change.

Cash savings are useful for short term needs and smaller gifts. Investing for children can be more suitable for long term goals, because the money has many years to grow. A mix of saving and investing often works best.

A Junior ISA is a tax efficient account for a child, where money can be invested until they reach adulthood. The child becomes the owner of the account and usually gains access at a set age. We explain how this fits with your aims and other options.

Yes. Family and friends can often pay into accounts set up for a child, within the relevant rules and limits. We can suggest simple structures that make it easy for others to contribute without losing sight of the overall plan.

Some accounts hand full control to the child at a certain age, while others allow more ongoing control by adults or trustees. If control and timing are important, we will explain options such as bare trusts, discretionary trusts or holding investments in your own name for their benefit.

A longer time frame usually allows for a higher level of investment risk, but the right level still depends on your comfort and objectives. We help you choose an approach that balances growth potential with an amount of risk you are prepared to accept.

If your income, family situation or plans change, you might need to alter contributions or adjust the way money is invested for the child. We can review the arrangements, explain the options and help you update the plan in a controlled way.

You can invest for children without advice, but many families value guidance on account choice, tax, control and investment risk. We provide regulated advice tailored to your situation, so you can invest for children with more confidence.

Contact Us

If you are thinking about investing for children or grandchildren, we can help you explore the options and build a plan that feels right for your family. We will look at how much you can invest, which accounts to use and how to invest the money sensibly over time.


Send us a message using the form and a member of our team will be in touch to arrange an initial conversation.

"Milena explained the options available in a way that was clear & easy to understand. She took time to answer all of my questions and address my concerns. I will be happy to work and recommend her in the future."

Client in Essex

"We feel in 'safe hands' with Liz and we are happy to recommend Liz's services to friends."

Client in Hertfordshire

"Lucy has been amazing at explaining all the confusing terms and is always on hand to help answer questions"

Client in Essex

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