Stepladder: learn about money and add to your savings
Stepladder is a free online course about money and life skills, run by The Share Foundation. If you're 15 to 17 and in care, finishing it could add up to £750 to your savings.
Who can do Stepladder Plus?
Stepladder Plus is the version where you earn money. You can do it if:
- you're aged 15, 16 or 17,
- you're in care now, and
- you've been in care for at least 12 months.
You need to do the steps before your 18th birthday. Stepladder Plus isn't open after you turn 18, so it's worth starting early.
You sign up online at stepladderplus.sharefound.org, and your council confirms you can take part. It isn't available in every area, because it depends on The Share Foundation having funding. If you're turned down, ask them why.
The six steps
You do the steps one at a time. Each one you finish adds money to your savings.
| Step | What you do | Added to your savings |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Reading and writing | Short online activities and a check on your reading and writing. | £75 |
| 2. Maths | Short online activities and a check on your maths. | £75 |
| 3. Money skills | Learning about the cost of living, with practice questions and a check at the end. | £100 |
| 4. My plans | Writing 250 to 500 words about what you want for your future and how you'd use your savings. | £125 |
| 5. Managing my money | An audio course based on an Open University course about managing money. | £175 |
| 6. What's next for me | Working with a mentor, like a carer, teacher or leaving care worker, to plan your next step in education, training or work. | £200 |
| All six steps | £750 | |
The money goes into your Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund, not straight to you. It's savings for when you turn 18. In Scotland the amounts can be higher, because the Scottish Government adds money too.
Left care and aged 18 to 25?
You can still do the standard Stepladder course up to the age of 25. It's the same course about money and life skills, at your own pace. There's no money for finishing it after you turn 18, but you get the skills.
You usually get onto it through your council, so ask your personal adviser (PA) to put you in touch with The Share Foundation. You can also contact The Share Foundation yourself on 01296 310400 or at info@sharefound.org.
The Share Foundation's page for care leavers aged 18 and over
Find your savings
If you were in care for a year or more as a child, there may be a Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund in your name. Many care leavers don't know theirs is there. You can look for it from 18.
For carers and workers
Step 6 needs a mentor, so a young person will usually need an adult they trust to help. If your council or service doesn't offer Stepladder Plus yet, The Share Foundation's programme coordinator can tell you how to set it up: natasha.richmond@sharefound.org or 01296 310405.
Our Money, Budgeting & First Bills pack works well alongside it, especially before steps 3 and 5.
Kithstep isn't part of The Share Foundation. We list Stepladder because it's free and useful. Details checked 5 November 2026 from The Share Foundation's own pages. The amounts have changed before, so check their website for the latest.