This paper describes the short history of day centres in this field and suggests that during this period there has been a significant change in the political climate affecting the development of practice. The paper is written from a practioner's standpoint and it argues that a rapid expansion of day centres without adequate forethought and resource provision, will contribute significantly to a move away from the service's traditional role of helping people in trouble. It examines the dilemma surrounding voluntary or compulsory attendance and whilst suggesting that the principle of diverting people from custody through the use of probation orders and voluntary day centre attendance needs to be tested out, asserts that compulsory attendance need not be an attack on people's integrity. This paper underlines that there is a place for day centres within the criminal justice system and delineates a set of principles which should underpin both policy decisions and actual day to day practice. (Author abstract)