A Junior ISA (JISA) is one of the simplest ways to invest for your child’s future. Choose an ethical option and it can also open up early conversations about where money goes – and what you’d like it to support (or avoid).
Starting early gives compounding more time to do the heavy lifting. And the sums involved are only going one way. A typical first-time buyer deposit now runs into tens of thousands, while day-to-day living costs remain high. University is getting pricier too, with the maximum tuition fee in England now £9,790 a year.
You can invest up to £9,000 a year in a JISA, tax-free. Once the account is open, friends and family can contribute, helping to build the pot over time. Your child can take over managing the account from age 16 and access the money at 18.
Junior ISA basics (quick refresher)
You can save or invest up to £9,000 a year in a JISA, tax-free.
A parent or guardian opens it, but friends and family can contribute once it’s set up.
From age 16 your child can become the registered contact (i.e. start managing it), and at 18 they can access the money – it also converts into an adult ISA.
Below are strong options if you want a ready-made ethical portfolio (so the investments are chosen for you).
Dedicated sustainable investment platforms/apps:
The Big Exchange
Annual fee: 0.25 per cent
Fund management fees: Typically ranges between 0.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent, per year
Minimum investment: £25 per month or £100 lump sum
Co-founded by The Big Issue, The Big Exchange is an online investment platform listing only funds that are proven to make a positive difference to the planet and its people. Funds are independently assessed and rated (gold, silver or bronze) based on their impact and transparency.
A free mobile app makes it easy to manage investments on the go.
For more on The Big Exchange, see our full review.
Simply EQ
Annual fee: 0.99 per cent up to £100,000, then reducing
Fund management fees: Typically 0.25 to 0.6 per cent per year
Minimum investment: £1,000 per month or a £50,000 lump sum
Simply EQ is a high-minimum, adviser-supported proposition that may suit families putting away larger sums (for example, grandparents contributing a lump sum). It offers impact-themed strategies including Positive Impact, Future Leaders and Climate Action.
For more information on Simply EQ, see our full review
Robo-advisers offering ethical JISAs:
Annual fee: 0.6 per cent
Fund management fees: Average of 0.58 per cent for Ethical Plans
Minimum investment: £1
Wealthify (owned by Aviva) offers ethical portfolios alongside its standard plans. Its approach combines exclusions (such as weapons and tobacco) with ESG-focused fund selection.
Moneybox
Subscription: £1 a month (covers investment accounts; sometimes waived in specific cases)
Platform fee: 0.45 per cent a year
Other costs: Typically around 0.12 to 0.30 per cent depending on the portfolio
Moneybox offers socially responsible investment options within its Junior ISA. Its approach blends ESG investing with a simple, app-based experience.
Traditional providers offering ethical portfolios for a JISA:
Scottish Friendly
Annual fee: 1.5 per cent up to £5,000, 1 per cent up to £20,000
Fund management fees: (covered in the above fee)
Minimum investment: £20 a month or £50 lump sum
Scottish Friendly offers a range of Junior ISA options and funds (including a climate-themed fund option in its range). It’s worth flagging that charges are higher than many DIY platforms and will matter more as the pot grows.
Interactive Investor
Annual fee: Typically £4.99 a month for an Investor plan (Junior ISA included when linked to a parent account)
Fund management fees: Typically 0.1 to 0.8 per cent depending on fund
Minimum investment: £25 per month or any lump sum
Interactive Investor (ii) offers ready-made sustainable portfolios (such as a Sustainable Growth option) depending on account type.
ii can work well for larger family portfolios because flat fees can be cost-effective – but it’s best for readers who already use ii or plan to consolidate accounts there.
Bestinvest
Service fee: 0.2 per. cent a year for Bestinvest Ready-made Portfolios (higher for other holdings)
Fund management fees: 0.5 to one per cent
Minimum investment: £50 lump sum
Bestinvest offers ready-made ethical portfolios (including sustainable options) based on risk level, providing a balance between guidance and flexibility.
Hargreaves Lansdown
HL is still a useful mention for readers who want to choose their own sustainable funds – but it’s not a ready-made ethical portfolio provider in the same way as the options above.
Annual account charge for HL Junior ISA: 0 per cent (no ongoing platform fee for holding funds, shares, ETFs etc in the Junior ISA)
HL offers a wide universe of funds, so parents can build a sustainable shortlist – but it does require more hands-on decision-making.
Risk warning: Investments can go down in value as well as up in your child’s JISA, so your child could get back less than you invest.
