Action for Children

Analysis

Action for Children is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Hertfordshire. It was registered in June 2003, 23 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, disability and accommodation/housing, which this site groups under disability. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04764232). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Action for Children reported income of £163.4m and spending of £163.0m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £145.2m to £163.4m (+13%), an average of +3.0% a year. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 12,871 England and Wales charities whose main cause is disability and that reported income, Action for Children sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Jisc (£150.7m), The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (£163.8m) and Leonard Cheshire Disability (£141.2m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 88% and donations and legacies 11%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £3.1m. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 4.5%. Reserves of £14.7m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 4,395 people.