Your Age: 18+

The Government have contributed either £200 for each eligible looked after young person to open a Junior ISA, or have funded a Child Trust Fund (only applicable for those with birthdates from 1 September 2002).

The Share Foundation, a registered charity, has been authorised by the government to set up and manage Junior ISAs for looked after children and young people under the age of 18 who do not have a Child Trust Fund, and to manage Child Trust Funds where applicable; we also raise funds which we contribute to the accounts that we manage.

What changes now I am 18?

When you become 18 you are entitled to access the funds. You can then choose, for example, whether to invest in a regular ISA or draw out the money. If you make no decision the Junior ISA/Child Trust Fund will automatically become an adult ISA/Matured CTF respectively in your name.

What do I have to do to access my account?

You should contact the Local Authority who will enable you to have direct contact with The Share Foundation, and they will provide you with the link you need to take control of your account.

Alternatively, please follow the guide below which explain how the arrangements work in more detail:

• For adult care leavers born between 3 January 1994 and 31 August 2002, your account will be an ISA (a Junior ISA during your years as a minor): its value is likely to be in the order of £300. The Share Foundation will have set the account up, and knows who is administering it as account provider. Visit https://MyJISA.sharefound.org to be put in touch with that account provider, and find your money.

•  For adult care leavers born from 1 September 2002, you are most likely to have a Child Trust Fund, which will now be in a ‘protected’ mature state. If you were born outside the UK, you may alternatively have an ISA (previously a Junior ISA). If it’s a Child Trust Fund, its value is likely to be over £1,000.

  - If there was no ‘responsible adult’ while you were in care, The Share Foundation will have been its registered contact and knows who the account provider is. In this case, visit https://MyCTF.sharefound.org to be put in touch with that account provider, and find your money.

  - If there was a ‘responsible adult’ while you were in care, The Share Foundation can still help to find your account provider, even though it was not the registered contact itself. In this case, or if you're not sure whether there was a responsible adult for your account, visit https://FindCTF.sharefound.org to be put in touch with that account provider, and find your money.

We recommend that young people contact us through these links as soon as practical after they reach 18 as, without an instruction from you, the account will convert to a regular ISA/Matured CTF automatically and can no longer be subject to active investment decisions on your behalf. It may, therefore, not be invested in the most advantageous way for you.

How can I see how much money is in the Junior ISA or how it is performing? 

Regular JISA/CTF valuations are sent to the local authority, and you can obtain a balance of the latest statement from them. Once you reach 18, a final valuation will be sent to the local authority, at which time you will need to take on the responsibility of managing your own account.

Can I get advice and support on how to understand my money better as part of the scheme?

Yes - a programme of financial education support is available to you. Materials for young people in care, as well as Local Authorities, Corporate Parents and carers are available via www.sharefound.org.

Also - you can now take the standard Stepladder of Achievement, up to the age of 25 (please note that Stepladder Plus is not available after your 18th birthday, even if your local authority is included in that part of the programme).

You may also find the Money Helper website provided by the MAPs useful - this is a free service established by Government to help people with money matters.

Telephone support is also available to advise you on further educational materials that will help you learn how to manage your money, including your Junior ISA/CTF. Call us on 01296 310400 to find out more. 

Is there any help available to find opportunities for employment or training?

Yes - the Care Leaver Covenant can help provide introductions. Their website contains a wide range of apprenticeship and other opportunities, and you can filter your preferences by region, type of employment and business sector.

Is it possible to contact the Share Foundation and get further information?

Further information on the scheme and copies of all materials can be obtained from The Share Foundation website sharefound.org or by calling the number below. (General information only, until you have been introduced by the Local Authority)

Alternatively you can call 01296 310400,  email info@sharefound.org or write to: 
The Share Foundation,  PO Box 1172, Aylesbury,  Buckinghamshire HP20 2NG