Child Trust Funds: a simpler route for young adults who cannot manage money, and how to find a lost account

The government plans a new law so parents and carers of young adults who lack mental capacity can get a Child Trust Fund paid out by going straight to the provider, instead of applying to a court. It is not law yet and no start date has been set. Separately, about 827,000 matured Child Trust Funds had not been claimed or moved by April 2026, and anyone can check for one free with HMRC.

Announced by

Ministry of Justice and HM Treasury

Announced on

3 November 2026

Stage

Announced. A change to the Financial Services and Markets Bill is planned, with detailed regulations to follow.

Takes effect

No date given

• A mother caring for her 20-year-old son, who has a learning disability: Today she would need to apply to the Court of Protection to reach his Child Trust Fund. Under the plan she could go straight to the provider, once the law and regulations are in place and if she meets the safeguards still to be set.
• A 22-year-old who forgot about their account: Nothing in the plan changes things for them. They can already find the account free with HMRC and claim it.
• A parent of a 15-year-old with a Child Trust Fund: No change now. The child can take control at 16 and withdraw at 18. If the child is unlikely to have capacity at 18, the family may want to follow how the new scheme develops.

• ✓You were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, so the government opened a Child Trust Fund for you
• ✓You are 18 or over and have never taken the money out or moved it
• ✓You care for a young adult in that age group who cannot make financial decisions for themselves
• ✓You are a parent of a child under 18 who was born in those dates and you have lost track of the account

Not for you if…

• ✕Children born after 2 January 2011, who could not get a Child Trust Fund (they may have a Junior ISA instead)
• ✕People who already took the money out or moved it into an ISA

Tax year Figures at 5 April 2026

1. 1

   Check whether you or your child has an account

   Use HMRC's free online service to find out which company holds the Child Trust Fund. You can use it if you are 16 or over and looking for your own, or if you are the parent or guardian of a child under 18. It tells you the provider, not the amount.

   Takes about About 10 minutes online; HMRC usually replies by letter within 3 weeks

2. 2

   Have your details ready

   You need your National Insurance number. For a child's account you also need their full name, address, date of birth and any previous names. The form has to be done in one go.

3. 3

   Contact the provider

   Once you know the company, ask it how to take the money out or move it into an adult ISA. From 18 the account belongs to the young person.

4. 4

   If the young person cannot manage money themselves

   For now, in England and Wales a parent, relative or close friend has to apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy. In Scotland you apply to the Office of the Public Guardian, and in Northern Ireland to the Office of Care and Protection.

• Under 25: If you were born between September 2002 and January 2011 you probably have a Child Trust Fund, and you can claim it from 18.
• Caring for someone: If you care for a young adult who cannot make financial decisions, a simpler way to reach their Child Trust Fund is planned, though it is not available yet.
• Children 5–17: Older teenagers born from September 2008 may still have an open Child Trust Fund. They can take control of it from 16 and take money out from 18.

England and Wales

Today, families apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy.

Scotland

Applications go to the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland), which has its own law on capacity.

Northern Ireland

Applications go to the Office of Care and Protection.

All nations

The government has not yet said which parts of the UK the new direct route will cover. The free HMRC tracing service works UK-wide.

1. 1 September 2002

   First children eligible for a Child Trust Fund

2. 2 January 2011

   Last birth date covered; the scheme closed to new children

3. 5 April 2026

   About 827,000 matured accounts still unclaimed (HMRC)

4. 3 November 2026

   Government announces a direct route for young adults lacking capacity

Child Trust Fund

A tax-free savings account the government opened for children born between September 2002 and January 2011, with a starting payment from the government.

Matured account

What a Child Trust Fund becomes on the holder's 18th birthday, when the money can be taken out.

Mental capacity

Being able to understand and make a particular decision, such as how to use money.

Court of Protection

The court in England and Wales that makes decisions for people who cannot make them themselves.

Deputy

Someone the court appoints to manage another person's money or affairs.