Mapping Care Practices and Service Delivery Models for Refugee and Displaced Families in Private Hosting Arrangements: A Scoping Review.

Background/Objectives: Private hosting arrangements have emerged as community-driven alternatives to institutional refugee housing, offering personalized support and opportunities for enhanced social integration. However, clarity around care practices and service delivery models remains underdeveloped. Methods: This paper presents the findings of a scoping review aimed at mapping evidence on service delivery and care practices in private hosting contexts for refugee families. Following an overview of the background and methodology, we present key themes, propose a conceptual model, and conclude with implications for policy, practice, and future research. This scoping review maps existing literature on care practices; it does not assess the effectiveness of interventions or establish best practices. The review synthesizes empirical and gray literature on service delivery and care practices supporting refugee and displaced families in private hosting contexts. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, six academic databases and multiple gray literature sources were systematically searched, resulting in the inclusion of 28 studies. Results: The analysis identified four conceptual dimensions of care described in the literature: relational care and trust-building, program structure and policy integration, holistic integration pathways, and embedded equity and protection. While private hosting facilitates emotional connection and psychosocial integration, the review highlights key challenges, including variability in host preparedness, emotional labor disparities, and limited formal oversight. Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for evidence-informed guidelines, standardized host training, trauma-informed approaches, and coordinated policy frameworks. The resulting model offers a foundation to inform future research, guide policy development, and strengthen private hosting practices to ensure equitable, inclusive, and sustainable outcomes for refugee and displaced families.