The Government's 10-year youth strategy, Aiming high for young people, states that from 2008 youth offending teams must pool 10 per cent of the prevention funding they receive from the Youth Justice Board.

Mike Thomas, chair of the Association of Youth Offending Team Managers, said: "We didn't know if the prevention grant was going to be continued after next April. I would imagine most offending services spend in excess of 10 per cent of that grant in collaboration with youth services anyway."

But the Youth Justice Board was less positive. A spokeswoman said: "We are pleased with the recognition of the importance of youth services but it's important that successful programmes and posts are unaffected."