I originally opened a trust fund with Asda which was later transferred to this one. I'm so disappointed. Just received my final statement as my son turns 18 in a couple of weeks. Having paid in £8000 over the term the final value is £8471. Would have been better putting the money in a savings account. On a positive note I did receive annual statements from them .

I have had two of my child's CTFs with Family Investments, one for almost ten years, and I am more than happy with the service, and growth, they have provided. Although the markets have obviously had their ups and downs (2008-2010 being the main "down" points) on average the fund my child has been invested in has growth well. In fact, after charges, over the last five years, the fund has grown by more than 5% per year - I'm do glad I didn't choose an interest account with Nationwide as I would have struggled to get half of that. This is a very long-term account and in my view, the only place to put this money is in a stocks and shares account. I have looked into transferring into a Junior ISA, but to be honest, I don't see the value in it. These big fund managers tend to have horribly complex charging structures and thousands of funds...also they seem to have quite high minimum premiums. One thing I didn't like was that, although it was free to transfer in (of course), they would charge me to transfer out to another Junior ISA - effectively tying me in!! This was Hargreaves Lansdowne so may not be true of all fund supermarkets. Family also does a Junior ISA but can't really tell the difference between their CTF and Junior ISA so no point transferring in my opinion. I like the flexibility of the Family product and their online account management is a friendly and useful tool to show my eldest child how his investment is growing, I can also view the current value and statements, change my direct debits and pay by debit card online too. Fortunately I haven't needed to call them much, but when I have, their guys on the phones appear to be very helpful and efficient. Don't understand why they have got such poor scores from people - although, looking at it, a lot of the bad reviews seem to be from people who either have bad information or are for some reason surprised when investment products lose value when the markets fall. Investments are a long-term product and there is no point in judging the outcome from one year to the next - I would lay money on the fact that over the 18 years the investment product I have will beat the trousers off of interest rate equivalents. A happy customer.

I have 3 kids and I got the CTF cheque for the first child and set up ISA's for the other 2 kids. I spent a lot of time researching around for good funds with a solid company. Family Investments (not OneFamily) offer good accounts for my kids, great invenstment oppurtunitys and choices and what looks to be a good return for my investment. Reading the other reviews, it's worth saying this is a long term investment and as it's based on shares it's only sensible to understand that the value of investment can go down as well as up. People really need to understand that about any investment of this type. It's not something new, but most people need to spend time reading up and making themselves aware. If you want safety and small returns then keep your money in the bank (and try not to spend it). If you want the possibility of larger returns, but with higher risk then go for an investment fund. It's that simple. I am able to check all 3 accounts online from one place, pay in one-off debit card payment online, set up a higher monthly direct debit if required and all backed by great customer service. Any changes you make are confirmed via email/letter in post so you really can't say you are kept in the dark at any process. The customer service team at One Family/Family Investments are very good at what they do. They don't offer financial advice, stick with a financial advisor for that, but what they do offer is reassurance and guidance for all things relating to your account(s). Year on year, the account value has increased on all 3 accounts. I understand the risks as should others, so I would highly reccommend One Family/Family Investments if you want to secure something for your childs future. I have had one of the accounts for 7 years now and never had a single issue that couldn't be resolved by a simple phone call to speak to someone. Read up on Child ISA's, look at the options, make the decision, you won't regret it and let's face it, your child at 18 with a cash lump sum to go to UNI, get a car or even put down a deposit on their first house is quite possibly the best gift you can give them and means they won't hopefully get sucked into too much debt at an early stage in their life.

Originally chose nationwide ctf but transferred to family investments. Been 4.5 years and every time I have checked it of course has gone up and down but never below the amount we put in. I checked a few days ago and it has made over £200. Very pleased

Family Investments is fairly notorious for its high charges. Coupled with investment performance that is at best average, the result is poor returns. The company's marketing (mailshots, leaflets in magazines etc) seems to be aimed at entrapping large numbers of inexperienced investors. Typically these people will be saving relatively small amounts, making the impact of high fixed charges even worse. 

hi i really dont like the policy of family investment,they keep changing the rules but fail to apply it proper rules onto the customeraccounts,and keep delaying my investigation regarding the charges they have been applying on my funds.my fund is far less worth than the money i have been paying in,because their annual charges and other fund charges are very high which leaves the value of my accountr low,but they are getting the easy free money out of mu pot"!

I originally set up my CTF with santander. very easy to do! Thats the good points over with. The fund was then transferred to Family investments. As yet i have had no paperwork and had to ring up for a statement to be sent. I cannot believe why trust funds do not come with a savings book. Now You have to post you cheques to them and prey that they get delivered by the ever failing Royal Mail. No wonder this countries on its backside. Choose an account where you can go in and pay money/cheques etc, your kids will learn to understand it and appreciate it more, rather than posting it. as for customer care - forget it. Stay away from Family Investment. Good riddence

So far so good. We set up an account for our daughter just over 2 years ago and have been adding to each month plus using www.kidstart.co.uk so getting money back on purchases straight into her account.

We are int he plus and although its not an amazing return so far would any other account really be any better in the current climate?

Communication is good and we get letters giving a break down / when money goes in etc.

All in all we are happy!

I have 2 children aged 2 and 4 and must admit that their trust funds have shown a loss over 2008 and much of 2009. However, having put in the maximum for both, they are now gaining good profits and long may it continue. One positive factor about when the markets were low and combined with a CTF of only a few years, you were able to accumulate more units which are now performing well. Good website and customer service too.

The performance of this fund since inception is very poor (in my opinion). I have invested the maximum allowance over the last 3 years for my 2 children and regret it. If it was possible to purchase shares in their names I would have been much better doing so and making my own investment choices on their behalf ... the markets are hard at present but thats why you trust your money to so called experts ... anyone can make money in a bull market, it is now when the ability of the fund managers becomes apparent ... or otherwise.

We transfered out of a with profits Child Trust Fund with LV at the bottom of the market and joined Family Investments. Has worked out really well as the LV wasn't growing at a great rate (but being with profits wasn't loosing money). As it was LV closing all their accounts no Market Reduction Value was applied and we bought many more units in the FI fund than we would have done if we'd done it when the market was high. The overall value has gone up by 11% this year so far... not bad!
For all those moaning about performance over the last 2 years, this is market based investment. If you are in the first years of the plan, the market being low is GOOD news. For each £20 you add you are buying many more units, which when the market picks up (which it is already doing) your fund will be worth much more. If you don't want this risk then choose a cash account.
Great service and great web site.

I have opened an account with Family Investments in November 2006 and i believe i have deposited to the value of &3800 which includes the government voucher and as of may 2009 it is only worth just less than &3000.
I regret opening an account with Family Investments Child Trust Funds.

Family Investments Child Trust Fund has Excellent customer service over phone. User friendly online access. Good choice of payment methods. Simple for family members to pay into account. The original 250 quid is now worth 143 quid, since investment in May 2004. However tthis is a stakeholder ctf and should improve vastly over the next 13 years.

After 2 years in the Child Trust Fund scheme I phoned to ask why my investment was less than I had put in. I was advised that the positive returns were at the the end of the term. After 8 years the value is 1 years contribution less than I have put in
If I had a savings account account at a low 3%, I would be 50% better off.