Conservative Paul Holmes, 21, was made cabinet member for children's services at Southampton Council in June, while Labour's Natasa Pantelic, 23, was appointed commissioner for education and children in Slough in September.
The two are thought to be the youngest in the country to hold the role.
Statutory guidance on the responsibilities of lead members states they should negotiate a productive relationship with and challenge the director of children's services (DCS), based on their own experience.
Shireen Ritchie, chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people board and lead member in Kensington and Chelsea, said: "It is important that the lead member can challenge the DCS and this does come with experience, but not necessarily with age. It's down to the person's talent."
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