Get a child or young person referred to Bics for support with their mental health

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About referrals to Bics

When considering a referral to Bics, our practitioners look at several factors to make sure our service is appropriate for the needs of the child or young person.

If Bics support is appropriate, a Bics practitioner will contact the parent or carer (or young person if age appropriate) to offer an appointment. 

If Bics support is not appropriate, the referrer will be contacted and signposted to the appropriate service.

If you are unsure if Bics is the right service for you, please contact us.

Who we are able to work with:

  • Low mood in secondary school aged children        
  • Anxiety and avoidance in both primary and secondary school aged children (this includes phobia and separation anxiety)
  • Worry
  • Generalised anxiety impacting on school attendance
  • Behavioural and Emotional Difficulties relating to mental health needs
  • Support with parenting where there is an identifiable mental health need in the child or young person (CYP)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Difficulties in CYP related to parental mental and or physical ill health 
  • Emotional regulation difficulties.  This may be linked to family, or school circumstances, SEND (special educational needs or difficulties), or social communications issues.
  • Secondary identity issues that impact on wellbeing e.g., low mood, bullying
  • Mental health difficulties/trauma e.g., as a result of bullying 
  • Anxiety and low self-esteem in relation to school attendance.
  • Secondary mental health concerns e.g., anxiety and/or low mood related to school life, with primary diagnosis of ADHD and / or Autism 
  • Families who have difficulties in their relationships with one another or who have experienced family trauma. 

Who we are not the best service for: 

  • CYP referred for a neurodevelopmental assessment/diagnosis/post diagnosis support/whilst on waiting list for a neurodevelopmental assessment
  • CYP on CAMHS waiting list for mental health support or receiving other therapeutic support 
  • Bereavement support as the primary presenting concern
  • Eating Disorders e.g., anorexia, bulimia, ARFID, PICA
  • Sexual abuse as primary referral concern
  • CYP presenting with high levels of risk including:

              - active suicidal thoughts and/or planning
              - highly risky self-harming behaviours
              - psychosis and chronic mental health difficulties

Make a referral

Bics can help children and young people who live in the borough or attend a Barnet school.

Young people, parents and carers and external professionals can refer to Bics using the Universal Plus form.

Barnet practitioners working with a child or young person can refer via our ‘Bics request for service’ form via EHM / LCS.

Autism and ADHD assessment

If you want an Autism and / or ADHD assessment (neurodevelopmental assessment) for your child, you should contact CAMHS (BEH CAMHS)

Confidentiality

We understand that talking therapy can involve disclosing sensitive and personal thoughts, feelings and experiences.

We will always maintain confidentiality unless we believe there may be a risk of harm to yourself or others. In which case we will speak to somebody who can help.

If a child or young person has a social worker, we will encourage them to talk to their social worker about their therapy. We will respect their rights not to share some things.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the services we offer: 

  • email bics@barnet.gov.uk for general enquiries
  • call our support line on 020 8359 3130 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm)

BICS is not an emergency service. If you have any immediate risk concerns you should contact: 

  • the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Team on 020 8359 4066 

  • the Barnet Enfield Haringey Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (BEH CAMHS) Crisis Line on 0800 151 0023 

Always call 999 in an emergency.