For the first time in five years I require occasional sleepovers but am not sure how much to pay for this. Help needed please.

Magskelly.

Depending on your situation, the payment rate varies. I recommend you contact Essex PASS directly, either by telephoning 01245 392320 or sending them a message through our 'Contact Us' page. Alternatively, contact your social worker. Hope this helps!

There's lots of debate going on at the moment in regards to whether sleepovers should be paid at the natioanl minimum wage level of £5.35 per hour even if the person is able to sleep all night.

You might find it helpful to view the debate in the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) Forum by following the link below:

http://forum.ncil.org.uk/bb/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2216

If this doesn't work, go to www.ncil.org.uk and look at the discussion forums. The topic is called National Minimum Wage.

Hope this helps.