Archive

Name: Pixley Clarke.

Job: Service inspector, Commission for Social Care Inspection.

How long in the job? Since 1999.

Best training ever done: When I was managing a family centre for children who had been sexually abused, we did some work with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. It had a profound impact on how I worked with families.

Over the course of my career I wish I had: Focused more on gaining some form of management qualification.

My worst interview experience: An interview where I had to do a presentation lasting five minutes. Unfortunately, there was little time to prepare and I made a right mess of the presentation, ran over time and did not get the job.

I aspire to be: Successful at my work and am willing to try anything. I see myself working in a range of settings or jobs primarily related to children and young people.

I didn't get where I am today by: Being inflexible.

Me and my career: Being a social worker is a very hard job but also a very good one when people are really responding to what you are trying to do. The most rewarding thing for me is helping councils improve what they are doing. I really enjoy meeting with practitioners, understanding what makes them tick and what helps them to help others. I also like meeting up with people who are supporting others. I work primarily in the North East but am part of a national team, so you have to be mobile. One day I might be interviewing the chief executive of a council to talk about their responsibilities with children's services and child protection. Later on I might see a group of young people in care. I also visit specialist services such as Sure Start. Children's inspections are the most demanding and comprehensive. You have to be able to make sense of what people are telling you and if it's the truth.

2004-current: Service inspector, CSCI.
1999-2004: Service inspector, Social Services Inspectorate.
1996-1999: Child protection co-ordinator, Middlesbrough Council.
1994-1996: Service manager in children's services, North Yorkshire Council.
1985-1994: social worker and family centre manager, East Sussex Council.
1983-1985: Social worker, Trafford Council.