The policy to allow councils discretion over how to link trusts and YOTs, confirmed in the education department's Next Steps document, is seen as a significant victory for children's minister Margaret Hodge.
She was judged to have lost a battle with Home Secretary David Blunkett over responsibility for the teams.
They will still report to the Youth Justice Board, which is under the aegis of the Home Office, but Hodge hopes she will gain de facto control over them through trusts.
Mark Perfect, the board's chief executive, said: "YOTs are set up to give a holistic service to young offenders and their distinct nature must continue.
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