Shortcuts not available on Apple Watch SE (Family Setup) — how to run automations without child’s iPhone?

Hi everyone,

I’m using an Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) that is set up for my child using Family Setup because he does not have his own iPhone. The watch is paired and managed from my iPhone using my Apple ID.

One of the main reasons I bought this watch is to track my child’s location. However, he often turns on Low Power Mode, which disables background updates and affects location tracking.

I’d like to create a Shortcut that runs directly on the Apple Watch (for example, to turn off Low Power Mode automatically or alert me when it’s enabled).

Here’s the problem:

• The Shortcuts app is not available on the Apple Watch unless the watch is signed in with an Apple ID that is also signed into an iPhone.
• In Family Setup, the watch is assigned to my child but managed from my iPhone with my Apple ID.
• Because my child does not have an iPhone, I cannot install or run Shortcuts on the watch.

My questions:

• Is it expected that Shortcuts cannot run on an Apple Watch configured via Family Setup without the child having their own iPhone?
• Is there any supported way to run Shortcuts or automations directly on a child’s Apple Watch in this setup?
• Are there alternative ways to prevent or monitor Low Power Mode so location tracking continues to work reliably?

I’m trying to understand the best supported approach here.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.