Junior ISA
With the potential for long-term growth and tax-free returns, a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA is a smart way to give your child a financial head start.
Invest in your child’s future with a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA
A Stocks and Shares Junior ISA (JISA) is a type of Junior Individual Savings Account that allows us to invest money on behalf of your child in stocks, shares, investment funds, and other eligible assets.
Like other ISAs, it offers tax-free growth, meaning any capital gains or dividends earned within the account aren’t subject to income or capital gains tax. The money invested belongs to the child, and while anyone can contribute up to the annual allowance, the child cannot access the funds until they turn 18. Stocks and Shares Junior ISAs are ideal for long-term saving goals, such as university fees or a first home, as they offer the potential for higher returns than a Cash Junior ISA, although with greater risk due to market fluctuations.
A Junior ISA can only be opened by a parent or legal guardian of the child. They are known as the registered contact and are responsible for managing the account until the child reaches the age of 18.
To be eligible for a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA, the child must:
- Be under 18 years old.
- Be a UK resident.
- Not already have a Child Trust Fund (CTF), although it’s possible to transfer a CTF into a Junior ISA.
Once the account is open, anyone can contribute to the Junior ISA, up to £9,000 invested tax-free, each tax year. The money belongs to the child and can’t be withdrawn until they turn 18, except in some exceptional circumstances.
- Tax-free growth: All dividends and capital gains earned in a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA are completely tax-free.
- Long-term financial support: Whether it’s for university, a first car, or a deposit on a home, a Junior ISA can provide a valuable financial boost when the child turns 18.
- Encourage saving habits: Opening a Junior ISA can help instil good money habits early on, showing the value of saving for the future.
- Flexible contributions: Family and friends can all contribute, up to the annual allowance set by the government, making it easy to grow the savings pot together.
A Stocks and Shares Junior ISA allows you to invest money on behalf of your child in things like shares, bonds, or investment funds. The money you contribute is put into the stock market rather than held as cash, which means it has the potential to grow more over time, though it can also go down. Anyone can contribute up to the annual allowance (£9,000 for the 2025/26 tax year), and the account is managed by a parent or legal guardian until the child turns 18.
At a glance
A parent or guardian can open a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA on behalf of the child
Once the account is opened, contributions can be made by anyone
You can transfer your child’s existing Junior ISA to us, even if it's not currently a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA
The funds in the account are legally owned by your child, but they will only be accessible to them when they reach 18.
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See how far your child's savings could go
The figures displayed below are only examples and aren’t guaranteed, please note past performance is no indication of future performance. What your child gets back depends on how your investment grows, your child could get back more or less than the figures shown.
Junior ISA Calculator
Use our savings calculator to get an idea of the type of returns your child could be looking at.
Your Results
Projected Growth The 2%, 5%, and 8% rates are standard illustrative growth rates used to show how an investment might perform over time under different market conditions, 2% represents low growth, 5% is a moderate scenario, and 8% reflects higher potential returns. These figures help you compare products and understand possible outcomes, but they’re not guaranteed, your actual returns could be higher or lower.
Low growth rate
(2%) potential return
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Medium growth rate
(5%) potential return
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High growth rate
(8%) potential return
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Please review the documents below to confirm that the 'Stocks and Shares' Junior ISA is suitable for you.
When they turn 18, the money is theirs to do with as they please. When their 18th birthday is coming up, we’ll contact them to let them know more about their options – they could choose to reinvest it into another account, such as a Lifetime ISA, to save towards a mortgage. Or, your child can keep investing and compounding their money through a Stocks and Shares ISA for longer-term goals.
Junior ISAs are ideal if you want a product that any family member can contribute to. Anyone can invest in your child’s future in either monthly instalments via direct debit or lump sums, as and when it suits them. Please note that only those with parental responsibility can open the account.
You can transfer a Child Trust Fund into our Stocks & Shares Junior ISA.
However you should ensure you understand the risks involved with investing in stocks and shares, including that the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and your capital may be at risk.
Simply download our Junior ISA Transfer Form, fill it in, send it back to us, and we’ll do the rest.
No, money cannot be withdrawn from the Junior ISA until the child turns 18 years old. The account is designed as a long-term savings or investment product, meaning all funds are locked in until adulthood.
Paying into a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA is simple. Once the account is open, you can contribute via:
- Bank transfer – Send a lump sum or regular payments from your bank account.
- Direct Debit – Set up monthly contributions.
- Gifts from others – Friends and family can contribute too, up to the annual allowance.
For the 2025/26 tax year, the Junior ISA limit is £9,000. All contributions are held as cash initially, then invested according to the investment strategy chosen. Remember, as with all investments, the value can go up or down.
The money you put into a Junior ISA is invested in the Unity Mutual Equity Fund. This fund has an annual management fee of 1%.
You don’t pay this fee directly, and it’s not taken from your child's personal account. Instead, it’s included in the way the fund’s value is calculated.
Please note past performance is not an indication of future performance.
Take a look at how our Unity Mutual Equity Fund has performed over the last 12 months, which is the fund this ISA invests in. The performance is tracked on monthly intervals. Hover over each point to see the unit value at that time.
Current Price: 1.976
Take a look at how our Unity Mutual Equity Fund has performed over the last few years, which is the fund this ISA invests in. The performance is tracked over six-monthly intervals. Hover over each point to see the unit value at that time.
Current Price: 1.976
Need to speak to someone about our Junior ISA?
Our friendly customer service team is available to discuss any questions.
Or email insure@unitymutual.co.uk
If you need financial advice
If you're unsure whether a product is right for you, it's worth speaking to an Independent Financial Advisor (IFA).
You can find a local advisor at unbiased.co.uk. Keep in mind that financial advice may come with a fee, so be sure to ask about costs before receiving advice.
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Important
This warning relates to our Stocks and Shares products. The value of investments can go down as well as up, so your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.
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