Action For Children
Notable UK charityAlso known as: Nch
We protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families across the UK.
Activities & Mission
We protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families across the UK.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Country
Region
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 57% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample: 685). How is this calculated?
Higher than 36% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 29% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £163,445,000 | £163,026,000 | £155,585,000 | £76,274,000 | £14,697,646 | 4395 / 475 |
| 2024 | £155,280,000 | £161,032,600 | £154,280,600 | £75,605,000 | £16,599,600 | 4432 / 561 |
| 2023 | £149,787,000 | £149,390,000 | £143,061,000 | £80,803,000 | £19,815,000 | 4429 / 1006 |
| 2022 | £142,648,000 | £139,354,000 | £134,043,000 | £84,021,000 | £27,292,000 | 4498 / 2553 |
| 2021 | £145,212,000 | £139,397,000 | £133,966,000 | £82,389,000 | £26,422,000 | 4741 / 2875 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Action For Children
What does Action For Children do?
We protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families across the UK.
How much income did Action For Children report in 2025?
Action For Children reported total income of £163.44m and reported expenditure of £163.03m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Action For Children?
Action For Children has a program ratio of 95.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 57% of UK Beneficiary group charities with income over £10M (sample of 685 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Action For Children registered as a charity?
Action For Children was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 11 June 2003 as charity number 1097940. It has been registered for 23 years.
Who runs Action For Children?
Action For Children is governed by a board of 13 trustees. The chair of trustees is Sarika Patel. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Action For Children operate?
Action For Children operates across 3 areas: Northern Ireland, Scotland and England And Wales.
Is Action For Children a registered charity?
Yes — Action For Children is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1097940.
Details
ASCOT ROAD
WATFORD
HERTFORDSHIRE
WD18 8AG
Registry Information
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Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Nch
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated