Relatives of disabled people have spoken in support of an Oxford care agency that is being investigated over complaints made by a former staff member.

Carer Michelle Bartlett with client Vicky Fenemore and her husband John

Premier Care Agency clients said they were very happy with the "top quality" care their family members received from its owner Tania Palmer and her 11 care workers.

As reported in the Oxford Mail last week, the agency, based in Westlands Drive, North Way, is being investigated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the independent inspectorate for social care in England, following complaints about recruitment practices, financial irregularities, staff training and an "inappropriate relationship" between Mrs Palmer and a couple she cared for.

Mrs Palmer, who was a care assistant before setting up the agency in April 2002, said she recognised there had been administrative problems, but workers had always prided themselves on providing the highest standard of care.

She said she had shown the CSCI that she had made improvements, provided evidence that there was no substance relating to the "inappropriate relationship" claims, and was awaiting the results of an appeal. John Fenemore, whose wife Vicky, 61, is tetraplegic and is helped at their home, in Buckingham Road, Bicester, seven days a week by Premier Care Agency, said he could not ask for a better service.

The retired plumber, 65, who has been helped by the company since March, said: "My wife has been wheelchair-bound for 19 years and we have had 18 years of other care companies and social services.

"They are not in the same field as Premier Care. We are getting the best care we have ever had and Tania does a lot of things for my wife, like shopping and helping with money.

"We trust her and her staff and I'm disappointed she's going through what she is."

The daughter of another of Premier Care's clients, who did not want to be named, said she was extremely pleased with the agency, which received the second highest star rating for care from CSCI in July.

Mrs Palmer said: "I have already made a lot of improvements on the administrative side of things, but what has always been important is the standard of care we provide and we are going to continue giving the best we can."

Management advisors from Cheltenham-based The Senior Managers Network have been working with Mrs Palmer since March to help her make improvements.