Clare in the Community
Series 1
1. Babysitter
Clare is feeling tired after being awoken in the early hours by partner Brian who wants sex, as she heads to see Kelly about her needs as a social worker alongside student Megan. However she finds Megan is simply short on money and demanding a one-time emergency payment which Clare is unable to accommodate. She is also roped into looking after colleague Helen's troublesome teenager Gareth when the two get into an argument about handling children while Helen has a date for the first time in eight years. Schoolteacher Brian is less than keen on looking after another child though is unable to escape to the pub in time, as he goes on to struggle to form a bond with Gareth. Clare also struggles until Brian makes his escape, while Gareth ends up staying over when Helen's date goes better than expected. With Clare and Gareth left alone, the pair finally manage to bond and he ends up helping her out with many of her own problems.
2. Adoption
With new neighbours Tim and Jessie moving in, Clare takes the opportunity to dig through their boxes to see what kind of people they are living next to. Meanwhile, at work Helen is due for a promotion interview though colleagues attempt to coach her isn't going too well. Attempting to go to sleep in the night, Clare and Brian find their neighbours spend all night having loud sex for nights on end, leaving them unable to sleep. Clare also contemplates adopting her wealthy sister Emma's children should they happen to die. Meeting up with Emma at a posh cafe, Clare finds her current sleep-deprived state leaves her struggling to stay awake and is to be left with the cats should anything happen. As Brian loses the bet on discussing the noise situation with the neighbours who are due round for drinks, he takes to hiding out in the pub leaving Clare to find out more about the neighbours with Tim also struggling with sleep-deprivation having been working nights all week.
3. Glad to be Ray
Brian is awoken at three in the morning by Clare who wants to talk about her bad dream. The following day while at work Clare and Megan deal with a blind man who reveals he hates his guide dog for all the attention it gets as Clare goes on to attempt to teach Megan to avoid office politics. Clare also sets about dropping in on colleague Ray who she believes is gay and has shown little about his personality and background to her. Brian attends his men's group, leaving Clare locked out and with three hours to spare, leading her to pay a visit to Ray's flat where he finds his privacy quickly invaded. Clare discovers that Ray's hobby is painting miniature military figures of the battle of Waterloo, leaving her disappointed in him while Ray is left irritated by her. With Brian standing up to Clare when she attempts to demand a lift home, he ends up confronting the other men about their whinging sessions each week while Clare ends up competing with Brian for a place on the work rounders team.
4. Last Words
Mrs Crossingham is the recipient of today's visit by Clare and Megan and she remains her spiteful and vindictive self as Clare reveals that she has finally had her holiday application approved despite a mistake delaying it for three months. However, Mrs Crossingham dies during the delivery of the news leaving Clare delighted. Brian meanwhile is feeling down about his relationship with Clare which leaves Simon exasperated as they have been having the same conversation for the past seven years. Simon also has relationship problems with his divorce over a year ago still raw and sets about improving matters by starting dating Megan, leaving Brian jealous. Clare attends Mrs Crossingham's funeral and discovers from her daughter than she thought the world of Clare. However, Clare's attempt to prevent the truth about Mrs Crossingham's real personality comes back to bite her when the family ends up in a massive argument over her last words. Brian meanwhile manages to ensure that Brian dumps Megan on their first date.
5. Combat Zone
It is just before Christmas and Clare is proving to be a tricky learner driver for Brian as he attempts to talk her through a lesson before work before they descend into argument with Clare and passenger Megan setting about taking the bus instead. Ray meanwhile is feeling depressed since his mother's death and contemplates skipping out on the Christmas meal for fear he'll be left to drive everyone home as he's the only one who doesn't drink. Taking another driving lesson at lunch time, where they find themselves out of petrol on the wrong side of town. The pair take refuge in a dilapidated pub as they seek a phone to call the garage, but find them waiting. Brian is left to make friends with a strange man called Spider as Clare is invited to play pool with the locals. Meanwhile, the meal continues with the group descending into bickering about splitting the cost of the meal with Irene's seven bowls of chips despite rejecting Megan's idea of paying for their own orders.
6. Stage Fright
Clare attempts to take an interest in Brian's football watching with frustrating questions. At work, she frustrates her colleagues with complaints about the choice of pub at the post-work drinks before instead heading home to find Brian has made them a dinner for their anniversary. Clare however has forgotten the date, questioning them even having an anniversary before heading to have a bath which leaves Brian irritated. At work, Megan ends up talking about her lack of boyfriend as Clare arrives for a meeting with the Haj's while she also manages to upset her colleagues by refusing to attend an anti-discrimination workshop believing it not for her. Brian meanwhile is taking a dress rehearsal for a drama class where his students will be re-enacting a familiar story to him. With Brian wanting to talk with Clare about their relationship and her self-obsession, Clare takes the opportunity to avoid the workshop and instead attend the play, where she discovers Brian's frustrations at their relationship.
Series 2
1. Past Caring
Brian is celebrating his birthday, though Clare's present of a pair of tracksuit bottoms in the hope of encouraging him to get fit fails to impress. The first visit of the day for Clare and Megan are a family where the dad has an antisocial behaviour order imposed, where they find a screaming baby and his parents intending on naming him after their favour Manchester United eleven. Megan is struggling as she is pregnant, with office gossip behind Clare's back suggesting that Brian is the most likely father. Ray meanwhile has called in sick with depression since his holiday on which he meets Carlos, though his absence leaves most of the office delighted for the day. Clare meanwhile encounters a woman who knows her and Brian well though Clare is unable to remember. She later turns up at Brian's birthday party in the pub, though Brian is unable to remember her either. With the mystery woman at the pub starting to irritate everyone else, they recall who she is when she shows off her unusual laugh.
2. Relax
Clare is proving difficult as Brian tries to get her to decide on a holiday destination, with their tight budget providing a stumbling block as well as the social issues of each potential choice. Brian is hoping to use the trip to propose to Clare. Back at work, everyone takes to bringing in holiday brochures in the hope of getting rid of Clare for a short while as Megan arrives with a geranium in the hope of slightly improving office morale. At work, Helen is in a terrible mood having given up smoking as the guys at work suggest that Clare will be too obsessed with work to enjoy her now upcoming holiday. The pair are only on the motorway to their destination when she receives her first call from Helen, while Brian has had to repack her suitcase to rid it of social work case files. Arriving at a remote cottage in Cornwall, Clare is frustrated at the lack of phone signal, she begins to worry about Irene making a move on her position at work while at work, Helen's anger is revealed to be an act.
3. Meet the Press
Brian makes an enemy of Sophie, the smartest girl in school, when she is "rested" from the lead role in his latest drama production, due to her constant starring roles driving everyone else away. Clare meanwhile has an interview scheduled with Woman's Hour presenter Jenny Murray who is due to come into the office, which causes resentment across the rest of the team for their exclusion. Out at a restaurant, Brian and Clare are soon joined by Simon and Helen with Simon going on to ask Brian to be his best man. Helen meanwhile has asked Irene to be her maid of honour, though Clare's suggestion of including Helen in the interview looks to swing the balance in her favour. On the way home from the restaurant, Brian begins to believe Sophie is following him and lurking outside their home, becoming ever more paranoid. As the interview draws nearer, Clare begins to get very nervous before finding out that Jenny Murray won't be turning up with subordinate - Sophie - turning up to conduct the interview which she reveals a large amount of information which she uses to blackmail Brian.
4. Brian Come Home
Its Monday morning at the family centre and a swarm of bees on the roof is preventing staff from entering the building leading the group to take refuge in a nearby pub. Eventually getting into the office, Irene finds that Helen has reversed the minibus over her scooter while Ray continues his manic depressive stint. Clare has a visit to see a Mr Mortar who is in temporary accommodation and feeling terribly lonely though she struggles to understand his plight, as Irene has her own problems believing that Ray is going to ask her to be his "best gay friend". Ray however instead is wanting Irene to join him at a seance for the first anniversary of his mother's death. Clare meanwhile continues to wait for Brian to return after a day away with anger at Clare with his anger at her betraying his trust by reading his diary, though Megan's idea of therapy for the pair is avoided by Clare. When Brian finally does turn back up at home however, he is only their to collect some belongings as he moves in with Simon.
5. Mean Streets
Brian is attempting to arrange the activities for Simon's stag do, though his choices are somewhat of a disappointment when he books them into a pottery class. Clare meanwhile accepts the position as Megan's birthing partner, after Megan tries both Helen and Irene, though the role goes to her head as she attempts to control the direction of everything baby and pregnancy related including choice of name. At work, Clare also finds that her work zone has been changed with her being assigned to count homeless people in a poor area for counting homeless people as the group get competitive about figures. Instead she decides to confront some graffiti vandals who aren't best pleased and take revenge on her new suede coat. Brian's attempt at a redo on the stag do activities has him book a stripper who turns out to be former student Tracey, leading him to struggle to deal with this revelation and get her to put her clothes back on. Irene meanwhile confronts Clare's attempt to count a homeless person on the boundary.
6. Doolah's Choice
Megan and Clare are attending this week's pregnancy class where the class leader believes they are a lesbian couple, with Clare failing to dispel the misconception. At work, new colleague Ben is struggling to cope with the job by lunch time. Brian is struggling with his best man speech and keeps mistaking Helen's name for his former wife Joyce which is not helped as Clare insists on moving Megan into their home not that she is one day overdue. Helen meanwhile has managed to make contact with former boyfriend Gary and insists on meeting him, leaving Brian to have to handle the situation by revealing the news to Simon that he has been dumped. Megan meanwhile has come to appreciate what Clare is trying to do for her and decides to reveal that the father of her baby was a client who has returned to Peru. Helen returns from her evening at a fancy Michelin star restaurant revealing that the wedding is still on while Megan goes into labour just as the wedding is about to begin.
Series 3
1. Letter from America
Simon is driving Clare and Brian mad as they struggle with living with him, after selling their house at Clare's suggestion to prevent being in a chain. Clare meanwhile has been talking with a death row prisoner, Wendell, in America, while Megan can't stop talking about baby Brenda and her gifted abilities. The pair also take to starting a house search, though their estate agent proves to be useless and an attempt at leafleting goes wrong. Clare has to deal with Hannah, preferring to be known as Suzie X, who is a left-wing anarchist looking for attention though finds little from Clare. Visiting Mr Figgis who is willing to gift the house to Clare and Brian, which has them spooked though he goes on to reveal he is dying and apparently has only two weeks left. With Clare's pen pal drawing closer to his execution date, she spends most of the letters completely ignoring his plight while also getting conned by Mr Figgis who cons them into spending time with other couples in the cellar while taking their credit cards.
2. Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
Christmas has arrived as the colleagues prepare for their final days in the office before the break. Taking to sharing their presents, Clare finds her socially conscious side has resulted in her gifts being made to third world countries while everyone else shares alcohol and chocolates. Brian and Clare also have a Christmas meal with her parents, with Brian resorting to using Simon to make a call and get him out of the dinner which fails when Clare catches on. Clare discovers that he parents are in an "open relationship" after her father reveals he has been cheating, leaving her mother to resort to flirting with Brian. Clare's sister Emma soon arrives at the house to join the family, as Clare resorts to escaping to her father's grave, before heading to a rest home to collect her grandmother. However, she manages to bring home the wrong elderly lady while Emma eventually breaks down when she reveals her partner Tom has left her for their nanny. Things go from bad to worse when their grandmother turns up and ends up in a fight with her fellow rest home resident.
3. Brenda's Birthday
Megan's child, Brenda, is due to have her first birthday party with Clare and Megan attempting to organise the celebrations, though Clare is struggling to book a bouncy castle. Ray is continuing to feel depressed, which is put down to a mid-life crisis so he takes Clare's advice on changing himself with tattoos, a piercing and squeaky leather trousers. Simon meanwhile contemplates the state of his love life and comes to realise that Helen was his true love, leaving Brian to convince him to come to the party as Helen will also be there. Megan is looking forward to her friend Gordon arriving from Scotland, though she struggles to settle at the party with the organising still ongoing. Clare's alternative arrangements of a puppet show instead has her get into an argument with the puppets, while Ray and Gordon hit it off until Gordon reveals his tattoo of Megan's name kills his chances as he goes on to reveal his true feelings for her. Ray meanwhile makes a play for reconciling with Helen, though finds that Gordon has beaten him to her.
4. We Need to Talk About Brian
Megan is feeling apprehensive about the balance between her home and work life, as the colleagues take to reading a book for their book club. Clare and Brian find themselves hiding out in a fetish shop when they spot one of Clare's clients who she has upset, while Brian manages to throw his back out while attempting to reach a copy of the Karma Sutra from the top shelf. The book club meet to find that Megan has been reading the wrong book as the reset have been reading 'Star of the Sea'. Brian and Simon are left playing Monopoly while his back is injured as Clare takes advice from the book group about the contents of Brian's diary from 1995 leading up to meeting Clare. However, the intrigue focuses on 'The Dark Lady' who Brian describes but doesn't reveal the identity of. Eventually deciding to confront him, Clare discovers that Brian was never seeing someone else which leads her to feel guilty, though Brian goes on to reveal the truth to Simon.
5. The Redcap
Ray is nominated the deejay for colleague Peggy's leaving party while Helen's leaving present is a tacky singing and dancing toy chicken, to the delight of the rest of the social workers glad to see the back of her and know she will hate it. Clare has a new student, Titania, who is better known as 'Titty' who has spent years working in the military and transfers her fearlessness over to her new role. Brian meanwhile is struggling to keep his men's club focused on the topics of discussion as they are distracted by the neighbouring room full of women who are laughing loudly. At Peggy's party, Clare manages to make her cry by being brutally honest about what the group think of her. Colin is volunteered by the men to speak to the women, but ends up disappearing closely followed by the others some time later, resulting in Brian dissolving the club. After a visit to the Sparrowhawk Estate fails to sufficiently scare Titty, Clare has to resort to describing the difficult elements.
6. Clare's Last Stand
Clare and the team are working a conference stand though they aren't the most popular with the visitors. Helen meanwhile spots an old flame from a previous conference, though finds that she isn't recognised by him until she bellows across the room. Simon reveals to Brian that he and Helen are back together. With their lack of popularity on show, fellow attendee and former colleague Peggy can't help but gloat resulting in Clare determining to change their outlook or risk losing a fifty pound bet if she can't distribute all the leaflets by the end of the day. Brian discovers that Simon's infidelity on his honeymoon with the travel representative wasn't the reason that Helen broke up with him. At the conference, Clare and Peggy take to being ruthless with each other. Megan gets to fulfil her dream of making an announcement over a loudspeaker, while Helen goes on to reveal her news, before finding out from Clare about the affair.
Series 4
1. Mother of All Mothers
The staff are back at work after the New Year, with Clare irritated as Irene has been promoted to team leader instead of her while Ray is attempting to continue the festive spirit. Megan also manages to reveal the news to everyone that Brian and Clare are trying for a baby, though Brian is struggling as he feels little sexual attraction to Clare leaving Simon's only suggestion being that he should have a go. Their chances of conceiving drop further when Clare's mother Celia turns up announcing that she has broken up with Clare's father as he has met someone else - his own age - rather than the usual student age. Ray meanwhile has a new boyfriend named Troy who he can't stop talking about despite no one else wanting to hear about him. Celia soon makes use of her new found freedom and has a date arranged - who they find is Simon - which Clare and Brian find is a planned ruse in an attempt to get Clare's father jealous. However, the overall plan fails when Celia instead chooses Simon.
2. A Game of Two Slavs
Clare and Brian's arguing has reached a new level with the pair booking in to see a couples therapist who's suggestion is that the pair spend time together doing something that interests them both. Clare however finds she has few interests which proves to be a distraction in the team meeting at work. Ray's continuous laughter has the others demanding to know the joke which has been told to him by Troy. Brian takes advice from Simon on an interest, with his suggestion being something that she will hate. However, plans don't quite work out when Brian becomes more interested in cooking recipes as Clare gets involved in watching the match and wanting a season ticket, before getting banned from the stadium. Ray meanwhile is contemplating his future with Troy due to a recent history of failed relationships. Clare decides on taking Brian to her only interest - work - where she has to deal with a Slavic man and his partner, who are conducting a protest against their immigration situation which results in Brian being taken hostage.
3. And the Winner Is...
Brian is left to go to the theatre with Simon after Clare rejects a night out, though their journey home is disrupted by yobs smashing up a car. Caught between intervening and walking the long way home, Brian is left to contemplate the effect on society and his ability to stand up to people. Clare discovers that an award is to be offered for care work, though the team has to select who will collect the award, with Clare struggling after Megan is given a pot plant by her own client. Irene has home issues after breaking up with her partner Stanley for a lesbian relationship with colleague Colette. Brian meanwhile gets into an argument with a physical education colleague who resorts to whipping him with a towel in the shower. Clare breaks off another night out with Brian to babysit for Megan while Brian is left looking after Stanley who is depressed about his current situation and wants to talk, which results in Brian revealing the situation regarding Irene to Stanley who is yet to find out that he has been dumped for someone else.
4. Carry On Up the Amazon
Clare is feeling left out after her colleagues win one thousand pounds each on the lottery, with her having been left out due to her principles. Helen takes to becoming a local politician and canvassing on the downtrodden Kestrel estate, with Clare's help. With her prospects for a political career looking bleak, she breaks down crying due to her son Gareth having travelled abroad for a long trip for his gap year leaving her alone. However, Clare discovers that Gareth is actually living on the Kestrel estate in a squat with girlfriend Chantelle. The financial pressures in Brian and Clare's household leaves Brian having to interview potential tenants including attractive Belgian Monique. Megan takes to bringing baby Brenda into work after hearing about the benefits though Ray fails to see them when she spends her time knocking things off his desk. Clare comes to reveal the truth to Helen about her son who puts plans in motion to get her son back, while Clare rejects Brian's choice of Siegfried as a tenant in favour of Monique who will prove difficult for him to resist with her morning yoga routines.
5. My Funny Valentine
Valentine's Day has arrived and Clare is convinced that Brian is buying her gifts to make her look bad, including his deceased aunt's ring. She also has him on a fitness regime after finding out that his sperm mobility is low affecting their ongoing chances of conceiving. The colleagues are convinced that Ray's boyfriend Troy is only after his money while Megan is off work for the morning with a stomach bug though turns up to find a Valentine left on her desk - possibly from the attractive "water cooler man". Clare is desperately trying to find a restaurant that isn't fully booked after suggesting to Brian that she has arranged a meal for them. However, the pair find themselves at an establishment run by former convicts which has Brian with severe reservations about eating in the place. Ray proposes to Troy at the bodybuilding event he is competing in. Helen manages to arrange a mystery date with "water cooler man" believing her to be Megan leaving her upset when she spots them, while the restaurant operation turns out to be under surveillance by the police resulting in him being shot.
6. The Long Goodbye
Brian remains in hospital after the bullet grazed his temple leaving him furious at Clare who shows little sympathy, while he also begins to have hallucinations about a talk with Death who happens to look like Ken Dodd. Clare has an appointment with Ainsworth, a youth who has gotten into further trouble after a disagreement about the classical music being played at the local shopping centre. Megan believes that Helen has become as boring as Ray since she started seeing "water cooler man", while Ray prepares for his marriage to Troy though his friends remain concerned about the relationship. Further changes look to occur as Brian considers whether he needs to progress his life, as he contemplates leaving teaching and becoming an author with the situation being made worse when she fails to turn up at their couple counselling session. Ray finds that his wedding has drastically changed for the more expensive at Troy's suggestion, while they also discover who Troy really is. At the wedding, Brian takes a stand to confront Clare about their issues with both having news for one another.
Series 5
1. Name Calling
Clare and Brian now have a baby boy they've just named Thomas, though the pair have handed most of the childcare duties over to au pair Nali. Brian is encouraged to meet up with Simon at the pub, though Brian is struggling to take his mind off the baby while Simon is introduced to Nali and the pair hit it off immediately. Clare however is less than keen on the thought o Nali being taken advantage of and commands Brian to head off Simon. At work, Clare and the colleagues find that the family centre is not going to be refurbished due to budget cuts. Ray meanwhile has developed a nervous cough, though Helen's only remedy is to provide him with laxatives. With Nali feeling overworked, she contemplates leaving with Clare having to put out all the stops to get her to stay - encouraging Simon. Megan however believes she is taking advantage of the situation. The protest at the cuts to the family centre begin, with Clare certain the council can't refuse their campaign though they aren't helped by the protest t-shirt printed by Megan and given to Terry Wogan.
2. Too Cool for School
Clare has made some new, cool friends at the pub which leaves Brian irritated considering they were supposed to be out together improving their relationship while Helen also has a problem with it as Clare considers replacing his work friends with them. Nali meanwhile is considering dumping Simon as he speaks to Brian about her potentially being "the one". Brian considers booking himself and Clare a few nights away to attempt to rekindle their relationship, though the cost and features prove difficult to negotiate. Clare and Megan pay a visit to a teenage girl who hasn't been attending school and find that she is caring for her siblings after her mother has apparently died, though they soon find out the truth. Simon attempts to encourage Brian to fix his relationship with Clare by imagining her as a business, while his romantic getaway proves to be a failure. Clare's relationship with her new friends continues to blossom as they welcome her into their gang, until she finds they are white supremacists.
3. Girls on Film
Brian is feeling down after getting sent off playing football which he attributes to Clare turning up to watch, though he fears telling her that he'd prefer if she didn't. Colette, a filmmaker is videoing for a documentary though Clare is annoyed when she attempts to ask her student Katriona for her thoughts rather than her own. Clare also has other problems with Katriona - her rich girl background who she accuses of "poverty tourism", while her clothing also contrasts with the estate they are visiting. Brian meanwhile takes to lying about being dropped from the football team though has to contend with Nali's cooking in which she attempts to feed them meat.
4. It's Good to Talk
Irene is looking for brutal and honest feedback at work on how she is doing, though she goes off before anyone can start, eventually recognising that the workplace has tension since they announced the family centre may shutdown. Clare has questions about why an old university friend, Michael, has got back in contact after they previously stopped talking though his turning to Simon for advice proves to be useless. Michael meanwhile arrives and fails to stop talking for hours, contrary to his previous shy personality, which proves to be problematic when Clare has also invited him to stay for an unspecified length of time. Irene tries to introduce alternative therapy to the group as a way to relax the team which instantly sends Clare to sleep, while Helen has started internet dating though her man ends up being a seventeen year old boy. Clare sets about finding out what Michael wanted to tell her, where he reveals he is becoming a monk but has to get the situation with old university friend Tristan off his chest.
5. Garden Party
Clare sets about hosting a garden party to meet the neighbours and gather signatures to save the Sparrowhawk Centre. However, an issue with the only working class family in the street, the Tinsleys, who live across the road which proves to be a rough start to their neighbourly behaviour as they leave their bin bags out a day too early for Clare's liking. Helen also threatens to hand in her notice for the third time this year which receives a rather flatter response than she expected while Megan has to cope with Brenda's ongoing violent streak. Nali reveals that almost the entire street has been burgled, except the Tinsleys who fail to show up at the garden party, putting them as the initial prime suspects until the group are caught after having signed the petition. Simon meanwhile believes that Brian is coming on to him as he misinterprets a conversation about getting in touch with their feminine sides, in the hopes of somehow improving his relationship with Clare. Nali meanwhile also has her own threat to quit after she is involved in stealing the Tinsley's cat.
6. The 1864 Mining Disaster
A benefit to continue the work on saving the centre is due to take place with local member of parliament Bill Gallagher due to attend. Ray meanwhile is left upset that his folk song performance is to be scrapped in favour of him manning the cloak room. Thomas is given a toy water pistol by Nali while drives Clare mad at the thought of a weapon in the house. Brian's father has died with his funeral due, though Clare is less than sympathetic to him attending over the Sparrowhawk Centre event, with Brian turning to Simon to attend with him. Nali attempts to console Brian, though reveals she was behind the wheel of a tractor which ran over her own father. Simon also reveals that he has been dumped by Nali, believing that she has developed feelings for Brian. Megan is left disappointed at the attendees attempts to dance following her instruction while Ray manages to sneak on stage and perform a folk song about The 1864 Mining Disaster. Clare discovers from Bill that the centre has been earmarked for demolition in only a month's time.
Series 6
1. Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
Nali has taken to annoying Clare with her teaching Thomas Serbo-Croat rather than English. With their continuing relationship issues, Brian is having sexual thoughts about Nali which are proving difficult to overcome. At work, Irene has left for a new job Australia and been replaced in a swap with outgoing personality Libby who has joined from down under herself. The situation has left Clare as acting team leader, with her hopes of sealing the job on a permanent basis though Libby has her own ideas about winning the role. Brian has begun to suffer from sleepwalking and ends up in Nali's bedroom, leading him to decide on attending a "sex-a-holic group" and seek help, though he ends up introducing himself to the narcolepsy support group. Libby arranges an post-work jaunt to the pub where Clare reveals she lied to Libby about the closing date for the team leader application, though conveniently she waits until the closing time has passed.
2. Luck of the Irish
Helen has been looking up her family tree, with the help of psychic Ptolemy who charges two hundred pounds per hour, and finds she apparently descends from a wide array of historical figures. Libby has to visit the airport to pick up ex-girlfriend Germaine who has turned up from Australia. Clare is planning on running a conflict resolution workshop while also announcing that it is also Local History Week. With everyone focused on history, Brian manages to track down some information indicating that Clare's family tree has a small amount of Irish blood - a man named Patrick - which results in her going overboard on the Irishness including hosting a St Patrick's Day party in June. At the party, Ptolemy and Helen announce they are going into business together with Helen fronting all the money, though Ray is sure that he knows him from somewhere. Brian manages to dig up some photographs on Patrick, though his apparently setting sail for Spain in the 1930's had a dark motive. Things get darker for the party-goers when Germaine throws up all over the guests coats.
3. Some Others Do 'Ave 'Em
Brian is off for half-term and discovers that Nali leads Thomas on a secret life while out with him. Clare meanwhile calls everyone into work, despite most of the team being out sick. With work not getting done, Clare takes to getting out from behind the desk of her team leader role and ends up visiting the client of Libby. However, she finds after two hours that she has the wrong house and instead has landed in the home of elderly lady Dolly who is lonely despite living with her twin sister Peggy who she refuses to speak to. Brian and Nali's adventure continues, though his attempt to teach her stone skimming ends up killing a duck. Helen's assignment is to attend a conference with police officer Gough on liaising with the community, with her keen to confront him on his work in the community. Dolly's story continues to become more bizarre with Dolly claiming her sister is dead, and just hasn't realised it. Clare attempts to settle the problems between the pair and finds that they end up both believing they are dead.
4. Clare v God
Brian is hoodwinked into clearing the loft by Clare after she does a deal on a vote with Nali, with all his manly belongings due to be thrown out. At work, Megan announces to everyone that she and Brenda are converting to Islam however the pair have to contend with the death of hamster Mr Murgatroyd. Helen sets about going speed dating and is rather keen to get things going immediately with the first man she sees. Clare and Megan pay a visit to see elderly client Mr Driscoll though Clare struggles with the visit as Reverend Dish turns up at the same time to visit his parishioner. The visit has Clare at loggerheads with the reverend as she openly hates Christians. Brian take to reminiscing while sorting through his belongings, where Nali finds out about the first five years of his life dressed as the girl his mother wanted. Reverend Dish turns up later at the family centre where the animosity continues though Megan contemplates asking him out, which poses problems when the reverend is asked to read the eulogy at Mr Murgatroyd's funeral over Clare.
5. In the Dog House
Clare is followed to work by a dog, which she names Fluffy and decides to take in while the owners are located. The dog is friendly with everyone except Brian who struggles to get into bed for the angry growling however the dog proves useful when a burglar breaks in and is stopped by Fluffy attacking his ankle and a naked Nali. Brian is gutted at having missed the sight of Nali while Clare is left along watching over the burglar who tries to play on her social worker role. Brian also has a stint of looking over the burglar who can't help but notice the dislike Fluffy shows towards Brian, with his advice being that Brian should secretly dispose of the dog as the pair wait for the police to arrive. Nali also finds out from the burglar that she is being paid under minimum wage though fails to completely believe him. The three take to discussing his situation, though in their short period away discover that he has vanished while the trio have also forgotten to call the police.
6. The Crush
Clare and Libby are looking forward to their interviews in which they hope to become the team leader. Libby is still struggling to get rid of ex-girlfriend Germaine though despite her opinion on her former relationship, most of the team have her favourite to win the role. Clare struggles with Megan's forthwright practice interview questions and also sets about declaring it Thomas Day after her son states he looks daddy best. At a toddler group, Clare meets a single dad and declares Brian dead rather than admit the truth which later results in an offer for Clare and Thomas to join him, Howard, and his daughter, Chloe, in Portugal. Nali meanwhile gives a talk at Brian's school in which her stories prove to be a hit. Clare contemplates the offer which proves to be an obstacle in her interview, resulting in Libby comfortably getting the role. However, Germain running off with Libby's new girlfriend back to Australia has her thinking about leaving, while Clare also considers her own offer, though Brian proves to be the unfaithful one when he sleeps with Nali.
Series 7
1. The Prisoner
Clare is still furious at Brian for his infidelity, though the pair are still together and working through their problems in couples counselling. However, the impact on her work has Libby suggesting she take time away to sort her problems out, though she manages to go on and get herself arrested. Simon meanwhile has taken to sleeping with a number of his classes parents, while Nali is being coverted by other parents who want to steal her away from Clare and Brian. The new code word for assistance for the care workers proves to be a failure when Shiela O'Sullivan can't be found, while Brian has to pour his heart out to Clare to get her to leave the local police station jail. However, the only thing that can convince her is the risk of losing Nali as a nanny as she prepares to host a dinner party for her friends, which turns out to be a local Conversative Party meetup. Brian returns to his mens group to reveal that he had an affair and talk about his problems, while Nali's position as a potential token immigrant candidate for the Tories has Clare worried.
2. To Kill a Mocking Bird
At a work karaoke event, Clare makes an announcement that she and Brian have split up, though she struggles to get any of her colleagues to listen. Brian however spends his time with Simon watching action films and pondering his future unhappiness in his own flat. At work, Libby attempts to find out how her team are doing though discovers the staff are miserable. Meanwhile, Megan is more interested in asking out Brian now that he is single as he struggles to bring himself to kill a bird which has been mauled by a cat, which he goes on to named Dickem and ropes Simon into helping him with the process. Clare tries to dissuade Megan from going out with Brian with the pair visiting a restaurant together where he reveals that Clare has got back in touch and asked him to move in, as they celebrate their concocted plan. However, in Megan's joy at the situation she hugs Brian and crushes Dickem in the process. Brian returns home to find to Clare and Thomas though not everything has completely changed.
3. Rude Girl
Brian is struggling to woo Clare with his daily gifts failing to land, leaving him desperate and turning to Simon for advice. Nali is giving Thomas food with poor nutrition in the mornings which has Clare suggesting that the centre contemplate offering services which will improve the diets of the local populace. The team also decide to attend a march against the further cuts to social care, though struggle as Daniel the boiler repair man continues to dispense advice on anything and everything rather than fix the appliance, much to Libby's annoyance. Megan arrives late to the march in her grim reaper costume after taking a shortcut through the hospice grounds, killing off two of the residents, which leaves her upset into the following week. Clare comes to think she is behind the times with the language of the youth and takes to receiving advice from Daniel. Brian's further attempts to be romantic by roleplaying with Clare result in him being thrown out of a bar, while Clare's attempts to connect with the black youth with Daniel's help goes awry.
4. Debt of Honour
Clare discovers that a neighbouring community centre is to be demolished for an Asda, which Clare is absolutely against, or Waitrose, which she is less set against. Clare meanwhile has driving lessons with Brian in which she manages to hit a man while driving on the pavement, who goes on to carjack them though he refuses to go to hospital, and claims he is being chased. Brian is keen to get Clare's hand in marriage, though her opposition to the institution has him with an uphill task. The carjacker, Mr Finnegan, turns up at a work event wanting to thank Clare for her help the previous night in his gangster-related activities. However, he gets the wrong end of the stick when Clare complains about Brian, going on to suggest she could murder him, and sets Finnegan off to kill him. Attempting to head off the hit-man and save Brian, she ends up at a mysterious location where she discovers that Brian has setup a situation in an attempt to convince her to marry him.
5. Heroes
Clare is making wedding plans which include inviting a number of people from the community as long as they are diverse enough, though the decision comes at the expense of most of Brian's friends, as well as Nali who is more excited than anybody about the ceremony and has already crocheted her own dress. At work, Clare meets musician Bradley Bigg who is working at the centre as a student, though she's the only one able to recognise him which makes her the perfect teacher. Libby is also losing her patience with Helen and her lack of work, so assigns her more responsibility meaning she becomes a health and safety officer. Clare and Bradley head to see a client though his self-obssessed nature has the pair distracted. Meanwhile, Brian continues to struggle to tell Nali that she isn't coming to the wedding though he eventually manages to make her a bridesmaid instead, while Helen's health and safety role has put a stop to work for the rest of the team.
6. Basic Attraction
At the team meeting, Clare's hen night is being planned even though she isn't going. Brian meanwhile is heading to give blood where he feeling a little nervous, discovers from the receptionist that he is a little boring. Nali can't help but think that Clare's dress is awful as the pair take to discussing the attractiveness of various political leaders. Meeting Simon at the pub, Brian realises he has missed out on a number of things before marriage and sets about making up for things, by chatting up an attractive woman which leaves him anxious for the day of the wedding. His anxiety continues, with Clare running late having run into Nina - the woman from the pub - who claims she slept with Brian and proceeds to ensure that Clare can't leave. The situation drags on to affect the next wedding which results in a fight as Brian continues to wait. Meanwhile, most of the wedding party is now being held hostage by Nina who believes that Brian will instead choose her, though the situation proves tricky when Simon turns up.
Series 8
1. Hot Desk
Brian is struggling to control his poertry class with pupil Dexter proving the most difficult. Clare meanwhile has a new student - Alice - with her who spends most of the day sucking up to Clare. The team are also having to cope with a new workplace while the roof is repaired on the Sparrowhawk Centre, with Libby having to introduce hot desking due to a lack of seating places and arguments for who should get to sit next to the window. Alice meanwhile puts a plan into action to ensure that Clare gets the best desk with a ploy against Ray, while Brian sets about asserting his dominance over Dexter to regain order in his classroom. Alice meanwhile has become devoted and obseesed with Clare, with Libby concerned at her lack of boundaries and threatening to remove her from Clare' oversight. Clare provides feedback to Alice on her performance so far, which isn't quite perfect, resulting in her switing to Helen. Brian meanwhile out-poets Dexter into tears by going to far in their battle.
2. On Expenses
Simon offers the use of his interior decorator, Zusanna, to paint Brian and Clare's house though his initial choice of Smoky Topaz in every room proves to be a loser with Clare. At work, Clare is reviewing expenses due to inconsistencies which has Helen worried as a number of extravagant claims have been made. Zusanna return to paint the house in the off-white which Clare wants, though manages to add a significant amount of non-functional radiators to each room as a design feature. Megan comes to believe that Brenda is gifted and her bad behaviour is a fault of her school. As Clare confronts Helen about her expenses and contemplates turning her in, Helen claims that they were genuine for a girl named Panian who has had a tough life. Brian comes to realise that Zusanna is a bully who is forcing him into choices which is a continuation of her work at Simon's. Helen takes to kidnapping a client to pass her off as Panian, which leaves Libby satisfied, while the translator for an expectant mother's group uses the situation to her advantage.
3. Fifty Shades of Ray
Ray and Clare are squabbling again as the rumours of redundancies have been spread around though Libby refuses to confirm them. Clare sets about breaking into Libby's office with the help of Megan to find information, where they bump into Helen doing the same thing. The pair almost get caught though Clare overhears a conversation between Ray and Libby in which she comes to believe he is terminally ill. Helen manages to get locked out on a ledge several floors up for the night, while Clare contemplates her behaviour towards Ray. Ray finds himself the centre of dinner invitations from Clare and Megan, though Clare quickly runs out of patience with her kindness towards him, though not before she manages to get roped into joining him on a wartime reenactment. Ray manages to enjoy himself at his last reenactment as the group is folding, while Ray also reveals that he is also giving up his role as a simulation patient for the local hospital - and he remains fit as a fiddle.
4. Nanny State
Brian and Clare are visiting the au pair agency where they attempt to get another nanny after going through eight in the previous eight months, though they are quickly thrown out with the promise that they will never hire from their agency again. Clare decides on visiting a local coffee shop, where she encounters Nali who is still bitter about having been fired almost a year previously. The pair eventually set about talking through their problems and what has passed. Nali lost her byelection to a Labour candidate, while Clare eventually gets to the reason that Nali was fired - she arranged for Thomas to appear in a photoshoot with David Cameron. Leaving angrily, Clare shortly returns to ask Nali to return to her nanny role, though finds Brian has already attempted to ask her back via a text message, though she refuses as she has another job. Clare starts to talk her around with some difficulty and soon finds she is working in the coffee shop having been fired from her previous nanny position for a wealthy family.
5. The Scapegoat
Clare is visiting elderly man Mr Woodgate who is feeling upset at his future mortality, before returning to office where she ends up in a discussion with Megan about the accessibility of the office and what the visitors should be called, before Mr Needham is due to arrive and is looking to lodge a complaint. At work, Brian has to deal with fellow teacher Trudy Doyle who is taking his afternoon rehearsal slot, where she claims that she has been offered the head of department role over him. Megan has started a game in the office in which they abuse the clients while muted on the telephone, though Clare's call with Mr Needham has her press the wrong button resulting in him overhearing. Brian attempts to get someone to listen to his complaints with a visit to Simon and finds he is sleeping with Trudy. At work, Clare and the rest of the team await the outcome of Mr Needham and finds that one of them has to have a meeting with him the following day, as long as they can decide who should attend and confess. With Brian angry at Simon, he demands that he choose between himself and Trudy.
6. The Parent Trap
Brian's mother Hazel has been staying for a few weeks, with apparent hemorrhoid problems, though she manages to land back after "having a turn" before boarding her train to Sheffield. Clare, looking to get rid of her as soon as possible, is made team leader for a while as Libby has returned to Australia to look after her apparently ailing father, though he has been misdiagnosed. Helen is also off sick with stress with stand-in Joan joining them, though she can only provide platitudes and proverbs from self-help books. The situation at home with Brian's mother has Nali irated having to sleep on the sofa as she refuses to leave. Ray has been feeling conflicted for the last few weeks having discovered he is a father to a now thirty year old woman named Laura who wants to start their relationship. Megan is left looking after a mens group who she encourages to play football, though her managerial style is aggressive when they are losing 3-0 at half-time. Megan arrives the following morning to find that Joan has spent the night working non-stop, where they discover she has spent her time writing a familiar sentence.
Edinburgh Special: In Treatment
Clare and Brian are attending couples counselling, though their counsellor Robin is in a wheelchair. Brian is keen to pay less than the voluntary amount, while Clare's work as a social worker immediately ingragiates herself to Robin. The pair struggle to agree on things, with Brian suggesting that he is the only one left making an effort in the relationship while Clare suggests part of the problem is him being overweight. Robin turns the focus onto Clare's parents relationship, of which her father was a serial cheat, as Brian struggles to understand Robin's possible theory on their relationship which is she settled for him. Becoming suspicious that Robin is making a play for Clare, as he suggests that their relationship has no hope, his only suggestion is that Clare work with him directly. Brian eventually comes to remember that he has seen him before at university and is better known as Michael McKinley who goes on to declare his love for Clare having also known her back when they were younger. The situation leaves Clare with a decision to make, until she discovers Michael is married.
Series 9
1. Stand By Your Man
Libby is hosting the team meeting when Clare turns up, despite supposedly being on her honeymoon. She reveals that they have split up as Clare came to realise that she didn't want to be married to Brian - after the wedding. Brian meanwhile has gone on honeymoon by himself, where he suffers a number of unfortunate events. At work, Joan has been taken on as maternity cover for Megan despite her previous mental issues with the rest of her colleagues taking advantage of her desire to work non-stop. Joan also attempts to avoid miserable people which has her swap a visit to elderly woman Queenie who has bad eyesight and is convinced she is going to die by the end of the day. Brian has to tell his mother that his marriage has broken up, which has her delighted at the news. At work, Ray, Joan and Helen are set upon with catapults by the kids on the Sparrowhawk Estate, as Brian struggles with loneliness and is shouted at by the travel representative while Clare has to contend with Queenie's imminent passing.
2. In Blog We Trust
Clare and Brian are attending Thomas' school sports day and have to contend with everyone congratulating them on their wedding which irritates Clare. At work, Clare has come to believe that the blogger - the "Secret Social Worker" - is working out of the Sparrowhawk Centre which has her set about finding the person responsible. Simon takes to attempting to help Brian get through his personal problems and immediately thinks about asking her out. At home, Nali brings up the domestic situation which has Brian still sleeping at home on the couch which interferes with her late-night show watching. Megan pays a visit to her colleagues while still waiting to give birth to a second child and can't help but get involved in the hunt for the whistleblower having spent weeks watching Taggart. Brian contemplates going on a date though struggles to find a suitable candidate from Simon's suggestions until landing on an evening with Delphine. Libby puts an end to the investigative witch-hunt which yields no results, while Clare's date Howard cancels on her.
3. Away Day Wey Hey
Libby is keen to have the team attend an away day to improve morale, though there are restrictions due to the lack of budget, and Clare is less than impressed at the idea and would prefer to stay in the office and work. Their away day takes them to Libby's apartment where they are to do team building exercises. Simon is surprised that Brian has gotten along with Delphine as he prepares to go out with her again, which leaves him confused. Joan is feeling a hostility in the room as Clare refuses to enjoy herself while Ray and Helen give their forthright opinions on each other. Clare eventually opens up, revealing it is her birthday, and goes on to recall her introduction to the British working class struggle and a subscription to Tribune as a birthday present when she was younger, before revealing it is all a lie and storming out back to work. Brian heads back to the restaurant for his second date with Delphine, though Simon turns up with the news that Delphine has chosen him over Brian and the first date was just her way of getting back in touch.
4. Driven to Extremes
Clare is attending a disciplinary tribunal which may see her fired, with only Joan as backup. Nali meanwhile has been writing to the Daily Mail under various guises, but has started to feel out of things to complain about. Clare has to recount the story of her collecting a teenage girl, Hannah, who is apparently particularly difficult, and deliver her back to her foster parents across town. However, Hannah is able to come up with a variety of stories including her similarity to Cinderella and her bomb disposal boyfriend who is leaving the following day without having seen her. Nali contemplates moving on with nothing to look forward to, until Brian suggests complaining about the Daily Mail not being right-wing enough. Clare and Hannah arrive at her boyfriend Dermot's house where she immediately begins to destroy his car with a sledgehammer brought in her rucksack, after he is believed to have cheated on her. With three people sitting on the committee, it comes down to how they vote on the outcome.
5. Panic Room
Clare is planning a dinner date with Howard, though has to get Brian out of the way whom Howard thinks is dead. Nali meanwhile is struggling to cook the vegetarian meal Clare has requested and has to contend with Brian getting in the way as he feels betrayed despite being the cuase of the situation. Megan arrives at the office to find only Joan remaining as everyone else is out working, where the pair find they have something in common with their love of phrases, though Megan soon finds she can't compete. Clare meanwhile has a visit to an ex-convict alongside Helen, where they find he is a somewhat famous criminal - Terry Dobson - who is looking to go back to prison and takes to asking Helen for advice, before kidnapping them by locking them in the bathroom. With Clare struggling being in an enclosed space, Terry takes to visiting the pub, where he encounters Brian at the bar and the pair get talking about their issues in life.
6. Come Dine With Me
Thomas has become a bully at school which results in an appointment for Clare and Brian to discuss the situation with the headteacher, who is keen to know about any change in family circumstances which could cause it. Nali meanwhile takes a part-time job at the Sparrowhawk Centre as a receptionist, where she becomes dictatorial over who gets in. Brian is renting a room from Leonard who is struggling to get over his wife Maude leaving him some time ago, which Brian uses to his benefit to get a particularly low rental cost. Joan is due to give a speech for the first time, though she is struggling with nerves which has her turn to Clare for some bad advice about picturing the audience naked, as she ends up going too far. Brian's pretending to be Maude continues to further descend into weirdness as he refuses to change anything until she comes back, including putting the heating on, as he is keen for him to wear Maude's clothes. Clare is looking forward to seeing Howard again which doesn't go as planned and has to contend with Nali's complaints about getting fired on her first day.
Christmas With Clare Barker
Clare is demanding Nali take down the decorations despite it only being December 29th, while Thomas is upset after being told by Clare that Father Christmas does not exist. Meanwhile, she also reveals that she is taking all the presents Brian bought her back to the shops despite not having unwrapped them as well as breaking her promise not to go into work. Upon arriving, Megan is dealing with Father Christmas who has dropped in to the centre and claiming his sleigh has vanished resulting in her determination to stay and do some social work. Back at home, Brian and Nali resort to playing board games and trying to enjoy their time alone, some of which involves mistletoe. Clare continues to doubt the man's story about being Father Christmas, and manages to get into an argument with him about her political opinions while he attempts to improve her outlook on the festive season and the people in her life.
Series 10
1. My Kinda Town
Lou Smith is in the centre looking to make a documentary, with Libby giving the task of helping her out to an overworked Clare, who is eventually talked around to the idea. Brian meanwhile is attending his mens group where they are joined by new member Casper St John who gets along with Brian immediately as he is keen to take about "man stuff". Clare takes to showing Lou around the Sparrowhawk Estate as night falls, though it seems a particularly quiet night. As Clare attempts to show her around the estate and the best places to visit, she discovers that Lou's, her real name Lucinda Ballard-Smith, visit is actually a stitch-up to produce a series that shows the area in a bad light. The guys at the mens group struggle to accept Casper as Brian feels intimidated by him resulting in his attempting to get fit, and following Simon's encouragement for Brian to confront the toughest kid in school. Back at the estate, Clare tries to persuade the residents to not appear in the documentary though when that fails, she arranges to have the camera equipment stolen.
2. Family Values
Brian is keen to show off his new physique as he continues to lose weight, though the hard work has left him with few clothes to attempt Clare's fathers funeral which they are due to attend. Nali is proving difficult as she has a different approach to dealing with death than Clare and Brian want for Thomas. Meanwhile, Clare's sister Sarah is also proving snippy as the pair still fail to get along, with Sarah keen to point out all the flaws in the arrangements, while the heavy rains also pose a problem for her father's cardboard coffin. Brian has to cope with Clare's mother and her heavy flirting, though doesn't help himself by flexing in the mirror at the wake. Clare can't help but notice that the wake is attended by a large number of attractive young women, which she initially believes is a lover, before going on to discover they are his offspring. Brian discovers that Clare's mother is simply using him to attract former boyfriend Bernard, as Clare goes on to discover that the wake has more former lovers than she thought.
3. Sisters
With Clare's mother enjoying a round the world cruise with Bernard, she contemplates selling her house and leaves Clare to make the arrangements, leaving her with the decision of whether to move into the enormous house. Simon reveals, somewhat indirectly, to Brian that the schools new German teacher Miss Wetzel is the latest subject of his attentions. At the Sparrowhawk Centre, Helen is struggling with stress though Libby's failure to be sympathetic has Clare suggest she has become dictatorial. Clare and Sarah visit the house along with their estate agent who is particularly annoying with a distinct lack of descriptive ability as he records a tour of the residence, while the sisters struggle to prevent their anger towards each other boiling over. Simon resorts to taking advice from his class on relationships though fails to notice the Ofsted inspector at the back of the classroom until asking her a geography question. Clare discovers that Sarah lied about her father painting over a mural she painted when she was fourteen as she goes on to suggest making it a family home again.
4. Things That Go Bump in the Day
Clare is preparing to visit a number of secondary schools in preparation for Thomas, despite him only being six. Nali meanwhile is rehearsing for a small part in an amateur dramatics performance. However, Clare is held up at work when a dead body is found behind a filing cabinet and Libby, fed up of Clare's challenging her authority, puts her in charge. The situation immediately gets complicated by Helen attempting to retrieve her biscuits and crushing the body with the filing cabinet. Brian turns to Nali to pretend to be his wife who can't help but continue her improvisation. Clare and the team make a desperate attempt to try and keep the body hidden, though have to contend with the cleaning lady as well as a visit from client Mr Mortimer. With Helen going on to name the corpse Roger, the team attempt to move the body to the family department after five o'clock and stumble into an office party. However, when the body vanishes after apparently falling out of a window, they have to confess to Libby what has happened, and discover the reality of the corpse as a team-building method.
5. This is a Man's World
Nali hears from Justin, her husband, for the first time in years much to Clare's dismay as she thought they were finished for good, however Nali can only go on to describe his visit in which they had sex. At the pub, Brian continues his exercises as Simon tries to talk to him about Swifty, who is now in prison, resulting in Brian's supply of illegal protein shake now being unavailable. Clare sets about intervening in Nali's addition to Justin, though Clare finds he is much different than she was expecting, as Nali tries to get him alone again. Brian has to deal with the potential side effects of his protein shake, which Simon suggests is turning him into a woman. Justin is hoping to explain why he has turned up, going on to reveal that he has fallen in love and wants a divorce. Simon manages to convince Brian to overcome his inner female before revealing that he made up the story as a way to get him back to the pub and away from his health regime.
6. Party On
A leaving party is being thrown for Clare who has previously announced she is moving on from the Sparrowhawk Centre, as Helen encourages her to withdraw her resignation as she made a mistake. However, she is too proud to go through with it while Libby anticipates the situation and is keen to ensure she leaves. Everyone is invited to share stories from their time working with Clare. Ray goes on to describe how she refused his offer of being her best gay friend after being left by her previous one, while Helen can only recall seeing Brian for the first time in a long time. Joan tells a haunting tale of a visit to a scary hotel during a storm in which she encounters a ghostly man, though the story fails to include Clare. Brian turns up at the party with Helen trying to get him to speak with Libby on Clare's behalf. Megan goes on to remind Clare that they met before her work at the centre when she turned up to talk at her college, while Libby's story is of the events surrounding her resignation as well as Joan's small involvement in it all.
Series 11
1. Fight Them on the Beaches
New team members at the family centre, student Cilla and visually-impaired Mrs Singh have joined after a merger with the Kestrel Centre. Libby finds herself being compared, less than favourably, by Mrs Singh to her former team leader as she continues to go on about her former team and the way things were run. Nali is auditioning for a musical part in a play and takes Brian's help though her only songs come from her own country and have a downbeat message. The team are all hands on deck as the elderly residents of the Sparrowhawk and Kestrel Centres end up fighting before they even get on the coach to go to the seaside, though Ray proves to be highly irritated at having to deal with the elderly. Mrs Singh's attempt to upset Joan has her expensive handbag being used as a sick bag, while Clare finds that Cilla is the daughter of a wealthy Conservative minister. Managing to make it to the seaside despite the ongoing squabbling, Clare and Cilla spot a couple kissing which proves to be a significant surprise.
2. Hell on Wheels
Brian has received a blood clot after a long train journey, hwoever Clare takes his wheelchair to work to "experience life as a wheelchair user". However, Cilla soon comes to believe that Clare is enjoying the attention of being in a wheelchair and being pushed around by her, which has her leave. Clare encounters a man named Roland, a advocate for people with disability, who wants to have her attend a talk at the town hall. Nali meanwhile is hoping to become an influencer and ropes Brian into directing the camera, where he finds her content quickly devolves into right-wing rhetoric. Arriving at the town hall, Clare is joined by Libby who is also speaking at the event on behalf of the Sparrowhawk Centre and has to persuade her to left her continue. As Libby attempts to give her speech, she is given a tough time by the crowd before being interrupted by Clare who also disagrees with her approach, leaving Libby irritated and resorting to tipping her out of the wheelchair.
3. Unfaithful
Brian is attending couples counselling, with Clare running late, as the session is run by a couple Clive and Vanessa. Brian quickly finds out that the session is going to cost him more than advertised, while Clare is against being there at all having a negative opinion on therapy. Eventually the counsellors turn to the topic of Clare's affair which she refuses to talk about or reveal her feelings on, while the counsellors struggle as they appear to be going through their own marital issues. Brian struggles to be heard as he goes on to explain how he found an email referencing Clare's infidelity who shows a distinct lack of empathy. Clare however is keen to talk about Brian's one night stand with Nali's sister as she suggests moving on with their lives and calling it equal. Brian is determined to find out the other person involved and takes to reading out a long list of men she knows, while Clive and Vanessa's relationship takes a turn for the worse as they announce their intent to leave each other. However, despite the situation Brian manages to leave the session happy and resolving his issue.
4. Momento
Clare receives a bump on the head during the outbreak of a riot on the Sparrowhawk Estate during a social event. As the other team members get lost in the malaise, Clare is lost and awakes not remembering her name or much else about herself, though as she meanders around she begins to recall parts of herself. At home, Brian's worry has to contend with Nali's village stories, while the team members join the hunt by way of Nando's and the cinema. Clare's ventures take her to an anarchist ground which is mostly made up of undercover police officers, as well as PC Robinson who has gotten lost himself and finds his colleagues more interested in laughing at him. As the estate becomes more familiar, she comes across a woman pushing cats around in a shopping trolley who was a hypnotherapist in a previous life and offers to help. Eventually managing to make her way home to Brian and her colleagues, she finds their worry extends to just having had a takeaway delivered.
5. Joan Alone
Brian is banned from watching Thomas play in the school football team after his boisterous antics on the touchline towards the other team. At home, Nali has returned to her village to attend her sister Nola's wedding, which turns into an extended stay. Clare meanwhile becomes angry at the idea of blackface being included in a performance by Ray's morris dancing group. Joan meanwhile is due to celebrate her thirtieth birthday which proves to be a surprise for the entire group who believed she was closer to fifty, as they are invited to her birthday party though Clare however suggests she won't attend with it being on a Saturday. Brian plans to disguise himself as a way to get back into being able to watch Thomas, which results in him getting apprehended by the police when his disguise fails. Clare contemplates Libby's motivations for attending the party, believing it to be her way of exerting power at work, and sets about attending herself though finds that nobody else has turned up.
6. You Take the High Road
Clare is throwing a barbecue after being announced as the closing keynote speaker at a conference, beating Libby to the role. As Brian attempts to cook the food, Simon's assistance results in him being set on fire and stung by bees, causing the house to burn down when he runs in panicking. After spending a short stint at the hospital, Brian and Nali have to stay with Ray while Clare takes to the pub to relax. In the house, Brian encounters Ray's lover Brendan who catches him by surprise completely naked in the kitchen. With Clare and Libby's competitiveness heightened after Mrs Singh suggests they are similar to each other, Clare is challenged to an alcoholic drink by Libby resulting in the pair ending up in a mystery location. Brian manages to drop Ray in trouble with his boyfriend Colin as Clare and Libby try to make their way back from their location - Scotland - though their ability to work together proves lacking.
Series 12
1. Heartbroken
Clare contemplates letting Nali go from her role as Nanny due to the cost of keeping her around, though decides to badger Brian into breaking the news which results in him believing he is having a heart attack. Being taken into the hospital, it is revealed he has had an anxiety attack and is required to rest, much to Clare's annoyance at the idea of having to look after him. Clare pays a visit to client Mr Beesley for delivery of a palliative care package, though discovers he has died shortly before she arrived resulting in her work potentially being wasted. However, the family may have been premature in declaring him dead when he returns to life allowing Clare to deliver her care package, though not before he manages to die again. Nali sets about handing in her notice to return to her village and marry to her childhood sweetheart though takes the opportunity to interrupt Clare who is preparing to sleep with Simon.
2. I Predict a Riot
Joan has locked herself in the toilet becoming afraid of seeing the scary clients - the Pendryd's - which results in Clare and Libby also locking themselves in there leaving Cilla to fend for herself. Joan has returned to work after three months off sick though come to believe she is living life in a play.and is worried about being written out should she happen to fall asleep. Clare pays a visit to a prison where she finds herself stuck in a prison riot, partially instigated by herself, and in which she becomes the leader much to her dismay. Simon has to break the news to Brian about Clare's situation while also avoiding the topic of his affair after Brian finds a pair of Simon's underwear in the bedroom. Clare encounters the "Queen Pin" in the prison who is annoyed by the ongoing riot affecting her business resulting in a challenge to play table tennis. Libby meanwhile also starts to wonder if Joan's belief in living life in a play is real.
3. Questions, Questions
An appreciative client of Clare's offers her two tickets to go to a recording of Radio 4 show Any Questions? though she has to find someone else to go with. Brian meanwhile pays a visit to his mens group and finds things have changed including Andrew now becoming Ursula and the rest of the original male members having left. Clare, visiting Broadcasting House along with Mrs Singh, finds that a right-wing political figure has been giving a sleeping berth at the studio as she prepares to ask a question, though struggles with stage freight prompted by Mrs Singh. Brian finds that another mens group attendee, Hayden, is a right-wing fanatic who has a severe prejudice against Ursula. Mrs Singh finds that her question has been stolen starting a shouting match with show host Jonathan Dimbleby. Shaznay, Hayden's apparent girlfriend turns up at the mens group results in him getting into a fight with Brian, in which Brian comes off worst.
4. Unlucky Louis
Cilla turns up to work hungover after a night at a bar with Libby, which results in Clare having to visit her client Unlucky Louis who seems to continuously suffer unfortunate events. Thomas is hoping to sell cakes at the street party, though Brian finds they aren't invited from the organisers which results in Brian crying before having a heart-to-heart with Thomas about his embarassing behaviour. Clare and Louis end up getting stuck in a lift in his residential building, leading Clare to struggle with her claustrophobia, as the lift threatens to fall down the shaft. Thomas meanwhile exacts revenge on the snooty neighbours for their behaviour. Eventually managing to get away from Louis, Clare heads to meet Simon at a restaurant as he attempts to move their relationship onto the next level, while Clare makes a surprising discovery about Libby and Cilla. Threatening to turn them in for an inappropriate relationship, the pair discover Clare's infidelity.
5. Rays of Sunshine
Brian finds that Clare is being extra kind which has him suspicious resulting in a call to Simon believing she is having an affair. At work, with Libby and Cilla away at a conference, Ray returns to the office after three years looking a changed man. Brian sets about looking for evidence of Clare's affair as Simon attempts to divert his attention, though Brian still misses the obvious when more of Simon's underwear turns up as well as hordes of text messages on her phone. Ray reveals what he has been doing since leaving the community centre, which involves gambling his money away and being sold into slavery in Korea. Taking to the pub with Simon, Brian begins to doubt himself about the affair until he answers her phone to a hotel enquiring about a booking she has made. At work, Clare and the others discover that Ray is working a pyramid scheme selling plastic food containers. Joan manages to discover that Ray is in hock to loan sharks and makes a decision to bail him out.
6. Killing Clare
Nali returns from her amateur dramatics performances as she prepares to return home to her village though is acting suspicious. Clare receives a visit from the security services who are enquiring as to Nali's whereabouts and plans. They go on to reveal her name isn't Nali and is known in criminal circles for her work as an assassin. With the agents hiding in the toilet, Nali returns from the shop with a suspicious set of purchases as Clare can't help but act nervous. Brian and Simon also return to the house which results in Nali holding them hostage before the agents break in resulting in a standoff. As they attempt to discuss the situation, Nali opens fire resulting in the death of Brian, Simon, and the agents. Thomas enters revealing that he took a gun from Nali's bag and uses it on her, shortly before the dead reawaken proclaiming an amateur dramatics surprise for Clare. However, in the laughter, Simon manages to accidentally reveal that he is Clare's lover shortly before collapsing and dying.