Child Trust Fund
Accounts for children in care
Some children looked after by local authorities have a Child Trust Fund account set up on their behalf. The Share Foundation acts as the registered contact for these accounts.
How the account is managed
The Share Foundation manages the Child Trust Fund account for the child and will:
- write to the child when they take control of the account
- change the type of Child Trust Fund account and provider if necessary and write to the child to explain why the change was made
- send account statements to the child
They’ll manage the account until:
- the child turns 18
- the child turns 16 and decides to manage the account themselves
- someone takes parental responsibility for the child, for example through adoption
Take over the management of an account
Contact the Share Foundation if you’re taking parental responsibility for a child and want to manage their Child Trust Fund account.
The Share Foundation can only help if you are a parent of a child who was in care. If you have any other questions about a Child Trust Fund, you should contact the provider of your fund.
You’ll need to provide evidence of parental responsibility, for example an adoption certificate.
You’ll get a letter confirming that you can take over responsibility for the account. Show this to the Child Trust Fund provider who can update the account to say you’re the registered contact.
Share Foundation
Email: info@sharefound.org
Telephone: 01296 310 400
Find out about call charges
1st Floor
Ardenham Court
Oxford Road
Aylesbury
HP19 8HT
When a child in care turns 16
The Share Foundation will write to the child about 2 months before their 16th birthday, telling them how to become the registered contact for the account.
If they choose to take control of the account, they can:
- start managing it when they turn 16
- withdraw money when they turn 18