Nick Hardwick said a distinct approach, tailored to the needs of young people must be maintained otherwise these needs will "get lost".
Commenting on a report following an inspection of a specialist unit holding 17-year-old girls, he added that appropriate governance arrangements must be made to ensure units for children and young people do not lose their focus.
The juvenile unit in The Mary Carpenter Unit at Eastwood Park YOI in Gloucestershire was praised by inspectors for offering a high level of individual care alongside good education and resettlement support.
Hardwick said: "The government has announced its intention to abolish the YJB. The issues arising from this inspection illustrate that its replacement must maintain a distinct focus on the needs of young people, with appropriate governance arrangements to ensure that, over time, the needs of young offenders of either sex do not get lost in the adult estate."
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