Cornwall's youth service has become part of the county's newly formed Services for Children, Young People and Families directorate.

The directorate brings youth services together with departments including the local education authority and social services for children. It will be fully operational from April next year.

John Appleton, Cornwall's youth service manager and chair designate of the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers, said: "We're pleased the directorate is not just called 'children's services'. The use of the words 'children's services', or 'children's trust' causes me concern. The focus can easily shift to the younger years."

Appleton said the next step would be to look at how services for 13- to 19-year olds could be integrated while retaining professional boundaries.