As the new Head of Service for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, I read with concern Linda King's letter about her mother-in-law's experiences of home support (Oxford Mail, October 11) .

I would be grateful if you would allow me to use your letters' pages to invite her to contact me. My PA, Hannah Weeks, telephone 01865 815828, will be happy to arrange an appointment.

There are, however, some general points I would like to make to all readers with an interest in home support.

While some specialist home support is provided by our own staff, most home support is provided by independent care providers under contract, as in all county councils.

Feedback indicates that the vast majority of our thousands of clients are happy with the care they receive, but as with any organisation, problems will inevitably arise from time to time.

For that reason, these independent services are monitored by ourselves and regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection to ensure standards are maintained.

Complaints about care delivered by providers under contract to Oxfordshire County Council can also be sent direct to my office by emailing paul.purnell@oxfordshire.gov.uk With regard to Mrs King's points about carers' language skills, low unemployment rates make it difficult for Oxfordshire's independent care providers to attract only people who were born and bred here.

I am, therefore, very grateful to people from abroad who choose to come and work here.

The evidence is that the quality of their work is generally very high.

There are language issues in some instances, but the county council is already working with providers, and I shall be looking at what else we can do to give them more support.

PAUL PURNELL Head of Social Care for Adults Oxfordshire County Council