London Police Court Missionaries

In 1907 the London Police Court Missionaries (LPCM) are formally appointed and become ‘officers of the court’. They become known as Probation Officers. The service spreads to courts across the UK becoming an integral part of the criminal justice system to such an extent that the Home Office nationalises it in 1938.

However the LPCM remains an innovative and pioneering charity developing different ways of preventing crime and reoffending. It concentrates on hostels for ‘probation trainees’ and branches out into homes for children in ‘moral danger’, sexually abused children and young mothers needing supported housing.

In 1960 the LPCM changed its name to become the Rainer Foundation and extended its work to include early preventive work with children who are experiencing difficulties at school. It moves away from hostels to provide more community-based work including supported housing. It is still closely associated with the Probation Service running services in partnership with them such as training and employment.