LOLER applies in schools
Any equipment used to lift people at work, including in schools, needs a thorough examination at least every six months.
SEN schools & colleges
Hoist inspections and equipment servicing for SEN schools
Six-monthly LOLER examinations, servicing and repairs for the hoists, slings, changing benches and evacuation chairs your pupils and staff rely on, scheduled around term dates.
- LOLER for hoists, slings and ceiling tracks
- Changing benches and height-adjustable tables
- Evacuation chair servicing and training
- Visits in holidays and after school
- 40+ years' experienceServicing for the NHS and private sector
- All makes and modelsMulti-brand engineers, authentic parts
- Full electronic reportsAn audit trail for every asset, every visit
- DBS-checked engineersUniformed, ID-carrying and fully trained
Why schools choose Shepherd
Safe transfers for every pupil, every day
Special schools and colleges use hoists and changing equipment many times a day. It needs the same care as equipment in a hospital.
Planned around term
We schedule examinations and servicing in holidays, inset days or after school, so lessons and routines aren't disrupted.
Records for governors and Ofsted
Every item is tagged and reported, giving your business manager and governors a clear compliance record.
Hoists and slings in special schools
Special schools, colleges and resource bases use hoists, ceiling track systems and slings throughout the school day. Because they lift people at work, LOLER 1998 requires a thorough examination by a competent person at least every six months, with a written report for each hoist and each sling. Slings assigned to individual pupils each need their own examination and record.
We examine and service mobile hoists, ceiling track and gantry hoists and slings from all major manufacturers, and check that every sling is compatible with the hoist it's used with.
Changing benches and changing places toilets
Height-adjustable changing benches and plinths are used for personal care many times a day. We service and inspect them alongside your hoists, and the same applies to the equipment in changing places toilets that schools, colleges and public buildings provide.
Evacuation chairs and training
If pupils or staff can't use the stairs in an emergency, your evacuation plan may rely on evacuation chairs. We service evacuation chairs and deliver on-site evac chair training for your staff on the same visit.
Scheduled around the school year
We plan visits for school holidays, inset days or after school, and book the six-monthly LOLER cycle so it falls in term breaks wherever possible.
Schools in Hampshire and across the UK
From our base in Lee-on-the-Solent we work with special schools and colleges across Portsmouth, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester, Basingstoke and the Isle of Wight, as well as West Sussex and Dorset, and with academy trusts and local authorities across the UK.
How it works
From first call to compliant equipment
- 1
Free on-site survey
We visit, audit your equipment and asset numbers, and look for savings against your current supplier.
- 2
Clear, itemised quote
A quote for exactly the equipment and service frequency you need. No hidden costs and no minimum number of assets.
- 3
Scheduled visits
Quarterly, six-monthly or annual visits. Engineers carry spare parts so most faults are fixed first time.
- 4
Reports and asset records
Every item barcoded and logged, with a full electronic report after each visit, ready for audits and inspections.
Also from Shepherd
One supplier for all your equipment
LOLER Hoist Inspections
Six-monthly LOLER thorough examinations for patient hoists, stand aids and slings, with a written report for each item. From £45 + VAT per hoist. UK-wide.
Find out moreCeiling Track Hoist Servicing
LOLER examinations, servicing and repairs for ceiling track and gantry hoists in care homes, hospitals and SEN schools. From £45 + VAT per hoist. UK-wide.
Find out moreEvacuation Chair Servicing
Annual evac chair servicing for care homes, hospitals, offices, schools and airports. All major makes, fire safety records. From £110 + VAT a chair.
Find out moreFAQs
School FAQs
Do schools need LOLER inspections for hoists?
Yes. LOLER applies to any workplace using equipment to lift people, including schools. Hoists and slings must be thoroughly examined at least every six months, with a written report.
Can you visit during school holidays?
Yes. We schedule visits for holidays, inset days or after school to avoid disrupting pupils and lessons.
Do you inspect named pupil slings?
Yes. Every sling is examined and recorded individually, including slings assigned to particular pupils, so you can see each one's history.
Do you work with academy trusts and local authorities?
Yes. We can cover several schools under one contract, with one schedule and one set of records.
Keep every bed, hoist and chair safe, compliant and working
Book a free on-site survey or talk to our team about servicing, LOLER inspections, repairs and equipment supply.