Give them a head start with a Junior ISA

How a Junior ISA works

A Junior ISA (JISA) is a tax-free savings and investment account for children under 18 who live in the UK. Anyone can contribute — parents, grandparents, family friends — up to a total of £9,000 per tax year across all JISAs held by the child.

Unlike a standard savings account, a Junior Stocks & Shares ISA (the type we offer at Abervest) lets you invest the contributions in stocks, ETFs, and funds. Over the 18-year window until the child can access the money, the compounding effect of even modest regular contributions can be remarkable.

When the child turns 18, the Junior ISA automatically becomes a standard ISA in their name. They can then withdraw the money, keep it invested, or transfer it to another provider — it's entirely up to them.

The power of starting early

Time is the most powerful advantage in investing, and children have more of it than anyone. Let's look at what's possible:

• £50 a month from birth to age 18, earning an average 7% annual return, grows to approximately £21,500. Your total contributions: £10,800.
• £100 a month over the same period grows to approximately £43,000. Your total contributions: £21,600.
• £200 a month over the same period grows to approximately £86,000. Your total contributions: £43,200.

In every case, more than half the final value comes from investment growth — not contributions. That's compounding at work, and it's why starting early matters so much.

What you can invest in

With an Abervest Junior ISA, you can build the same kind of diversified portfolio you'd build for yourself — scaled for a longer time horizon:

• Global ETFs. A broad index tracker gives instant diversification across thousands of companies worldwide. A popular core holding for long-term growth.
• Individual stocks. Invest in companies the child knows and loves — it can be a great way to teach them about business and ownership as they get older.
• Managed funds. Pick professionally managed funds targeting long-term growth, income, or balanced strategies.

Who can open and manage one

A Junior ISA must be opened by a parent or legal guardian, who manages the account until the child turns 16. From 16, the child can take over management of the account themselves — though they still can't withdraw the money until they turn 18.

Only one Junior Stocks & Shares ISA and one Junior Cash ISA can be held per child at any time, but you can transfer between providers whenever you like without losing the tax-free status.

JISA rules at a glance

• Available to any child under 18 living in the UK.
• £9,000 annual contribution limit (2025/26 tax year).
• No tax on growth or income inside the account.
• Money belongs to the child — it's locked until they turn 18.
• At 18, it converts to an adult ISA in their name.
• Can be transferred between providers without losing tax benefits.
• Opened and managed by a parent or guardian until the child is 16.