How to manage a child's junior ISA
Only those with parental responsibility for a child, such as parents or legal guardians, can open a junior ISA (JISA) for that child. But once the account has been opened, how can you manage your child’s junior ISA?
What does 'parental responsibility' mean?
A child's legal guardian has "parental responsibility" for them. This means they legally have to provide them with shelter, protection, education, health, and much more.
Usually, this is the child's parents, but it could be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or even a family friend. You can read more about parental responsibility and rights on the UK government website.
Only people over the age of 16 with parental responsibility for a child can open a JISA for them. They’ll also be the registered contact for that JISA until the child takes over, which they can do when they turn 16.
What does it mean to be a registered contact for a junior ISA?
Even though JISAs are opened under a child’s name, an adult needs to take on the role of “registered contact” on their behalf.
The registered contact for a JISA is the person the provider (such as OneFamily) will contact about the account. They’re also the only person who can instruct the JISA provider on how to manage the account.
A registered contact can be changed, but there can only be one at any time. The first registered contact for a JISA is the person who opened it. Under certain circumstances, this can be changed by filling out an application form.
When the child turns 16, they can apply to become the registered contact for their own account. After they’ve done this, the registered contact can’t be changed anymore.
It’s worth noting that, even though only the registered contact can manage a JISA until the child takes over, anyone can pay into the account.
How do I manage my child’s junior ISA?
If you opened a JISA for your child, then you should be the registered contact for the account at least until they turn 16 and can take over their account. While you can’t withdraw any money, here are some of the things registered contacts can do with a child’s JISA.
- Setting up and managing a Direct Debit to pay money in regularly
The registered contact can set up and manage a Direct Debit to make regular payments into a child's JISA.
- Changing which fund a stocks and shares junior ISA invests in
If a provider has more than one fund option to choose from, the registered contact is able to change which fund their child's stocks and shares junior ISA invests in.
- Changing which provider the junior ISA is held with
The registered contact can transfer a junior ISA from one provider to another.
- Reporting a change in circumstance
The registered contact for a JISA is the only person who can report a change of circumstance, for example if you have a new address. Log into your account to do this.
- Managing the child’s junior ISA once they turn 18
When your child turns 18, they will automatically become the registered contact of the junior ISA.
If they're not able to manage their own account once they turn 18, for example if a disability stops them doing so, the existing registered contact might be able to stay on to manage the JISA for them. Contact us to let us know the situation and we’ll be able to support you.
OneFamily Junior ISA
With our stocks and shares Junior ISA you can start investing from just £10 per month up to a maximum of £9,000 each year on behalf of a child. Anyone can pay in, and the child will gain access to the account once they are 18 years old.
Stocks and shares JISAs have good long-term growth potential, but the value of your investments can go up or down and your child could get back less money than you’ve put in.
Find out more about junior ISAs
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