Who we are
“It is a rule almost without exception that the boy has been left untaught and uncared for - has been the subject of much ill-treatment and neglect - and that the gentler influences of a mother’s care and the comforts of an honest and happy home have been unknown to him.”
extract from a Society report, 1848
Our History
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1788
The Philanthropic Society is born at the St Paul's Coffee House, London. A group of men discuss the problem of homeless children begging and stealing on the streets. The Society begins by opening homes to train these children in cottage industries.
Children work under the instruction of skilled tradesmen such as printers, shoemakers and twinespinners, often going on to be apprenticed to local craftsmen.
1806
The Philanthropic Society is incorporated by Act of Parliament, sanctioning its work in grappling with the problem of juvenile delinquency.
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"The majority are trained and educated by experienced thieves in a course of dishonesty and are as regular bought up in this way of life as other persons are to common trades and professions"
extract from an early Society report |
1848
The Society has helped 1,500 children by this time. According to the archives, as few as one in 20 commits further offences.
1854
An Act of Parliament, prompted by a popular movement fostered by Charles Dickens, allows courts to refer young offenders to Philanthropic Society reformatories as an alternative to prison. There is a shift of emphasis in the work from prevention of crime to reform.
1876
Printer Frederic Rainer, a volunteer with the Church of England Temperance Society (CETS), writes to the Society of his concern about the lack of hope and help for those who come before the courts.
He sends a donation of five shillings towards a fund for practical rescue work in police courts. The CETS responds by appointing a 'missionary' to Southwark court, the basis of the London Police Court Mission (LPCM).
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"Offence after offence and sentence after sentence appear to be the inevitable lot of him whose foot has once slipped. Can nothing be done to arrest the downward career?". |
Frederick Rainer, founder of the London Police Court Mission (LPCM), later the Rainer Foundation |
1880-1902
Eight full-time LPCM missionaries are in place. The mission
opens homes and shelters providing vocational training, and develops residential work.
1907
LPCM missionaries are appointed 'officers of the court', later known as probation officers.
1933
The Children and Young Person's Act introduces juvenile courts for children of 17 and under. The Philanthropic Society's Redhill home is given 'approved school' status.
1938
The Home Office assumes control of the probation service. LPCM concentrates on hostels for 'probation trainees' and branches out into homes for children in 'moral danger', sexually abused children and young mothers.
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Redhill Agricultural Reform School |
Boys at Redhill circa 1941 |
1952
The Philanthropic Society is granted royal status by Queen Elizabeth II and becomes the Royal Philanthropic Society (RPS).
1960
The LPCM is renamed the Rainer Foundation and extends its work to include children with educational problems and low self-esteem, and moves from residential to more community-based work.
1969
The Children & Young Person's Act means that responsibility for approved schools is shifted to local authorities, although RPS still runs its school at Redhill. The Rainer Foundation moves significantly into community-based work.
1986-1997
RPS sells the Redhill property and invests in new projects to help young people leaving care. RPS and Rainer continue independently to run innovative schemes in the community, forging links with public and private sector bodies to develop and deliver high quality services to vulnerable young people.
1997
RPS and Rainer join forces to create a strong national presence: RPS Rainer.
2002
RPS Rainer merges with the DIVERT Trust, which had built its reputation on mentoring services.
2003
RPS Rainer changes its name to Rainer.
The National Leaving Care Advisory Service (nlcas) joins Rainer and continues its work promoting the interests of care leavers to Government agencies, service providers and others in the field.
2005
Rainer secures European funding to lead two new large partnerships - RESET (Resettlement, Education, Support, Employment and Training) and What Makes the Difference? (WMTD).
With 50 partners, RESET is the largest ever voluntary sector led project aimed at working with young offenders and reducing reoffending. What Makes the Difference? is a large action research project that seeks to evidence best practice in working with looked after children and care leavers.
A Rainer service manager wins one of only eight National Justice Awards for his outstanding contribution to tackling youth crime.
2006
Rainer celebrates its Bicentenary.
December 2006 Rainer joins forces with Communites that Care.
2007
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This year probation celebrates its centenary.
As the agency which first gave rise to the probation service we are proud to support it.
For more information visit: www.probationcentenary.org
