The Northern communities’ charity, DISC (Developing Initiatives, Supporting Communities) helps people realise their potential. DISC works with service users to make the most of their individual strengths and talents and helps them identify the steps they have to take and then supports them in their journey. DISC is involved in delivering services for women offenders including those with complex needs in a holistic, woman centred gender specific environment delivering interventions in line with the NOMS seven outcomes. The service delivers across North Yorkshire and York and works in a number of community settings, prisons, women’s hubs and in people’s homes.

DISC works with women in the criminal justice system and provides a viable alternative to custody in order to prevent the displacement of families and prevent lasting damage to children because of their mother’s imprisonment. The service provides a range of interventions to reduce a woman’s offending around specific areas: thinking skills and behaviour change, substance misuse, domestic violence, children and families, finance and debt management, education and training, sexual exploitation and trauma.