A new steering group will be created by NHS England to develop recommendations for a national framework for the local commissioning of community-based support for learning disability nurses.
Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of charity leaders' network ACEVO, will chair the group, which will include representatives from people with learning disabilities, autism, and their families, members from voluntary sector partners and senior leaders in healthcare.
During the first meeting on 28 July, the group agreed that the combination of families, community sectors would create an effective framework for improved services for people with learning disabilities.
Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer for England, said: 'The report will be developed with input and guidance from people with learning disabilities and their families, and partners working in this field. It will create new pathways of care in the community to support people with learning disabilities to live at or near home and not in hospital.'
Mandy Williams, a health liaison nurse for adults with learning disability from Wales, said: 'England are way behind the All Wales strategy with this initiative. North Wales already have 24-hour support houses and support people in the community as much as possible instead of long-stay hospitals. England should be looking towards North Wales' Model and perhaps not reinventing the wheel. Obviously, any model is not always perfect and England may find that certain areas may not fit their criteria.'
The group aims to complete its work by the end of October 2014 and will report to NHS England.