2524 rated · 4,012 on the register
Best Children charities in the UK
Children’s charities protect, support and advocate for babies, children and young people in the UK and abroad.
Quick answer
Clarity-scored
Top-rated children charities
Ranked by Clarity score from Charity Commission annual filings. Scores are free — payment never affects ratings.
| Charity | Score | Cause spend | Income | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLKA CHILDREN'S THEATRE LIMITED | 100 | 94% | £3.6m | Local |
| AMOS TRUST | 100 | 89% | £2.6m | UK-wide |
| THE MOST VENERABLE ORDER OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST JOHN OF JERUSALEM (THE ORDER OF ST JOHN) | 100 | 96% | £2.4m | UK-wide |
| CHAPTER ONE (U.K.) LTD | 100 | 97% | £1.8m | UK-wide |
| SUFRA - NW LONDON | 100 | 96% | £1.7m | Local |
| WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK | 100 | 96% | £1.6m | Local |
| INTER CARE LIMITED | 100 | 94% | £1.6m | Local |
| BIRMINGHAM CITY MISSION | 100 | 98% | £1.4m | Local |
| BRITISH EMUNAH FUND | 100 | 94% | £1.1m | UK-wide |
| Emmaus Transformation Trust | 100 | 96% | £984k | Local |
| THE WHITE EAGLE LODGE | 100 | 91% | £967k | UK-wide |
| CAMBRIDGE RAPE CRISIS CENTRE | 100 | 98% | £916k | UK-wide |
Full UK register
More children charities on the register
4,012 registered children charities across the UK (England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Every one has a free profile with its official registration number.
- My Child Registered charity № 1,137,445
- Youth Mix Registered charity № 1,194,031
- ACT1 Youth Registered charity № SC046010
- Just Youth Registered charity № 1,072,491
- Youth Cafe Registered charity № SC020152
- Youth Hubs Registered charity № NIC110148
- About Youth Registered charity № SC046776
- Aid a Child Registered charity № 1,093,766
- Cheka Child Registered charity № SC050144
- Child Haven Registered charity № 501,413
- Dales Youth Registered charity № 1,212,774
- Ihsan Youth Registered charity № NIC109118
Children charities — your questions answered
How many children charities are registered in the UK?
The UK's charity registers (Charity Commission for England & Wales, OSCR in Scotland and CCNI in Northern Ireland) list 4,012 charities whose registered name relates to children. CharityCompare has enriched, scored profiles for 2524 of them, and every one of the others has a free basic profile here with its registration number and register details.
How do I choose a children charity to donate to?
Check three things: the charity is registered (its profile shows a Charity Commission number), its Clarity score (we rate transparency and financial health from annual filings), and its cause spend — the share of spending that reaches the charitable cause rather than overheads. All three are free on every CharityCompare profile.
How do I check a children charity is legitimate?
Every genuine UK charity has a registration number from its national regulator — the Charity Commission for England & Wales, OSCR in Scotland or CCNI in Northern Ireland. Look it up on the charity's CharityCompare profile or on the official register. Registered charities must file annual accounts — if a fundraiser cannot give you a registration number, do not donate.