mCare & MODS: the data standard for care records

27 July 2026 | Nik Sanghvi and Suzanne Worthington

Language is one big act of collaboration. In our language, we all agree on the meaning of words such as 'home', 'safe' and 'care'. No one person decided what they mean. Millions of us settled on it together, so that when one of us speaks, the rest understand.

Care records need the same shared understanding.

That is why we're pleased to share that our digital care planning system, mCare meets the Minimum Operational Data Standard (MODS).

In this article, we explain what MODS is and what it means for your care records.

In this article

What is MODS?
Why is MODS important?
Do I need to do anything?
What does MODS mean for my care home?
Does MODS change how I record care?
Does MODS change how my residents' information is shared?
Find out more

What is MODS?

MODS is a national data standard for digital care records. It was developed through the government's Digitising Social Care programme.

MODS sets out how care information should be recorded and labelled, so that care records mean the same thing across every care system in England.

Why is MODS important?

In care records, MODS as the national standard - the shared language - matters.

For care workers, it means cleaner, more consistent records and less time spent duplicating information, so more of the day can go to the people in their care.

For residents and families, it means care information can move safely between a care home, the NHS and other partners, so care is more joined up and care packages can be set up faster.

For the wider sector, it's a foundation for care that connects, and for care that's safer and more personalised.

Meeting MODS reflects our continued commitment at Person Centred Software to building care technology that is safe, reliable and trusted. Standards like this are how the whole sector moves forward together, and we're proud to play our part.

Do I need to do anything?

No. Meeting MODS is built into mCare and works in the background. You and your team can carry on recording care exactly as you do today. Nothing changes in how you use mCare.

What does MODS mean for my care home?

Meeting MODS supports:

• consistent, complete records across your home, which supports safer and more joined-up care
• easier sharing of information with the NHS, GPs and other partners when needed, so care packages can be set up faster
• data that's ready for regulatory reporting, which saves your team time
  
  

Does MODS change how I record care?

No. Your day-to-day use of mCare stays the same. Keep recording care as normal.

Does MODS change how my residents' information is shared?

MODS is about how information is recorded and labelled. It doesn't change your data sharing settings or who can access records. Information continues to be shared securely and only when appropriate.

Find out more

Read about MODS on the official website, Digitising Social Care

If you have any questions about mCare and MODS, start a chat with us in mCare or get in touch with your account manager.