David Ramsden – författare

Like plenty before her, social worker Clare Barker has entered a caring profession so that she can sort out other people's problems rather than deal with her own. A control freak, Clare likes nothing better than interfering in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis, while at the same time finding it a trial having to put up with tiresome members of the public. Politically correct, humourless and prone to jargon, she is entirely lacking in self-awareness, making her encounters with colleagues, family and her partner Brian wonderfully entertaining and richly comic. In these six episodes, Clare babysits a friend's child, loses sleep due to the upstairs neighbours' noisy sex life, and calls round to her colleague Ray's house unannounced - only to be shocked by what she finds. She also attends a hated client's funeral (to get the afternoon off work), takes driving lessons from her partner Brian, and organises a works outing to see a performance of Brian's play. Adapted from the long-running cartoon strip in the Guardian, this hit radio sitcom won a Sony Bronze Award, and stars Sally Phillips, Alex Lowe, Gemma Craven and Nina Conti. 'wildly funny' - Sunday Times, 'Culture' magazine.

In this second hilarious series, social worker Clare Barker is still struggling to control both her professional and her private life. There are troublesome clients to deal with, as well as colleagues and her long-term partner Brian, who is as hapless as ever. These six episodes see Clare setting up a date between Helen and Simon, taking a holiday (and worrying that the office will fall apart without her), and accepting an invitation to be interviewed for Woman's Hour. Meanwhile, Brian walks out on her, the team volunteers for a street count to help the homeless, and Megan's baby is due. Based on the long-running Guardian cartoon strip, Clare in the Community has garnered huge critical acclaim and an audience of over half a million listeners. Starring Sally Phillips as Clare, with Alex Lowe as Brian and Nina Conti as Megan, this release is guaranteed to appeal to all fans of the sublimely self-important social worker.

Clare Barker is a social worker with all the politically correct jargon but none of the practical solutions, and her lack of self-awareness and general uselessness makes for hilarious listening. These six episodes find her struggling once again to control her professional and private life, as she goes house hunting with Brian, tries to survive Christmas Day with her family, and helps Megan organize her one-year-old daughter's birthday party. Packing up prior to moving into a new home with Brian, Clare makes a disturbing discovery; and there's trouble at work when she finds that her latest student social worker has an army background and encounters her nemesis Peggy at a conference. With a sparkling script, and starring Sally Phillips alongside Alex Lowe, Gemma Craven and Nina Conti, this hit radio sitcom is bound to appeal to all fans of 'the Rottweiler of the caring profession' (The Times).

Splendidly self-obsessed social worker Clare Barker is back in the community and as entertaining as ever in the fifth series of this acclaimed BBC Radio 4 comedy. In these six episodes, Clare finally manages to make friends, has a new trainee social worker to break in and the family centre is the focus of a documentary film. An old university friend visits Clare - and has a confession to make - while at work Clare has to deal with Tibetan Singing Bowls and a team leader seeking brutal and honest feedback. Clare also hosts a garden party to get to know her new neighbours, Ray is determined to sing his folk songs, and Clare and Ben are now parents of an, as yet, unnamed child. Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with Liza Tarbuck as Helen, Alex Lowe as Brian, Richard Lumsden as Ray and Nina Conti as Megan in a further round of team meetings and eleven o'clock cakes.

Splendidly self-obsessed social worker Clare Barker is back in the community and as entertaining as ever in the fourth series of this acclaimed BBC Radio 4 comedy. In these six episodes, Clare's mother piles pressure onto her faltering relationship with Brian, Clare and Brian are encouraged to share their interests at couples counselling and nominations are required for the Social Worker of the Year Award. Clare discovers that Helen's son Gareth is not spending his gap year in Borneo, Brian is amazed that Clare has remembered Valentine's Day and Ray's colleagues celebrate his civil partnership. Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with Alex Lowe as Brian, Gemma Craven as Helen and Nina Conti as Megan. 'Beautifully observed performances... an impressive cast and some genuinely funny writing make this a must.' - The Stage.

Clare Barker is a hilariously self-absorbed social worker who has the right jargon for every problem she comes across, though never a practical solution. But there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare. The last series saw Clare's team shaken around and shuffled about. But it is in the nature of hell to be unchanging, and most are present and correct for a further round of frustration, despair, disappointment, team meetings and eleven o'clock cakes at the Sparrowhawk Family Centre. In these six episodes, we find Clare is now Acting Team Leader at the Family Centre as Irene has job swapped. And whilst Irene is in Melbourne the team here are joined by Libby from Australia. Plus, Clare is thrilled to discover an Irish ancestor; goes out to visit everyone's clients when the rest of the team is hit by a vomiting bug; and tangles with the local vicar while paying a house call. Then there's the stray dog that keeps following her around; and the chance meeting at Toddler Tunes that could change her life... Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with Alex Lowe as Brian, Nina Conti as Megan/Nali, Sarah Kendall as Libby, Richard Lumsden as Ray and Liza Tarbuck as Helen.

In this seventh series, we join Clare in her continued struggle to control both her professional and private life. These six episodes see Clare struggling to come to terms with Brian's infidelity. She ends their relationship and is surprised by her colleagues' reaction to the news. Brian tries to win her back with romantic gestures and even proposes marriage - can he change her mind? In addition, Clare is concerned she may be linguistically out of touch with today's youth; her driving lessons lead to an unexpected encounter; she meets Bradley Bigg, whose pop music influenced and shaped her as a teenager; and she prepares for a very special occasion... Starring Sally Phillips as Clare, Alex Lowe as Brian, Nina Conti as Megan/Nali, Richard Lumsden as Ray, Liza Tarbuck as Helen, Andrew Wincott as Simon and Sarah Kendall as Libby. Written by Harry Venning and David Ramsden. Producer Katie Tyrrell. 'Beautifully observed performances... an impressive cast and some genuinely funny writing make this a must' - The Stage.

Sally Phillips stars as the social worker with all the PC jargon but none of the practical solutions, in a further six episodes of the radio sitcom. Duration: 3 hours approx

The twelfth and final series of the hilarious BBC Radio 4 sitcom starring Sally Phillips as the social worker with a dedicated social conscience (unless it's inconvenient for her)'The best comedy on radio' The StageThe Sony Award-winning comedy series returns for the last time, as we bid farewell to Clare and her ongoing struggle to control both her professional and private life. In today's Big Society there are plenty of challenges out there for an involved, caring social worker. Or even Clare. These six episodes see her once again indulging her control freakery as she interferes in other people's lives on both a professional and personal basis. At the Sparrowhawk Family Centre, Clare's feeling the pressure - her clients are as awkward as ever, new student Cilla still needs her unique brand of mentoring, and Mrs Singh continues to be a thorn in her side. And back at home, there are problems and surprises in store. Can she finally crack work and family life, and get her rocky relationship with Brian back on track - or does fate have other ideas?After 15 years, 12 series and 74 episodes, it's crunch time for Clare... Sally Phillips stars as Clare, with Alex Lowe as Brian, Nina Conti as Nali, Gbemisola Ikumelo as Cilla and Nina Wadia as Mrs Singh. Written by Harry Venning and David RamsdenProduced by Alexandra SmithProduction Coordinator: Beverly TaggStudio Managers: Jill Abram, Marc Willcox, Gary NewmanFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24 September 2019CastClare.................................Sally PhillipsBrian.................................Alex LoweRay.................................Richard LumsdenSimon.................................Andrew WincottLibby.................................Sarah KendallJoan.................................Sarah ThomNali.................................Nina ContiMrs Singh.................................Nina WadiaCilla.................................Gbemisola IkumeloWith Rebecca Root, George Fouracres, Jenni Murray, Jenny Bede and Rosie CavalieroEpisode guide1Heartbroken 24 September 20192 I Predict a Riot 1 October 20193Questions Questions 8 October 20194 Unlucky Louis 15 October 20195 Ray of Sunshine 22 October 20196Killing Clare 29 October 2019