– I want my research to be put into practical use and not simply end up in an academic journal. When I give my lectures, I frequently meet municipal staff members who ask if I can give them a tool that they can use to adapt their methods so that they can connect with hard-to-reach families. I see their frustration at wanting to make a difference but not having methods that work on an everyday basis, explains Fatumo Osman, docent in care sciences.
With more than 15 years of experience in the field of parental support, Fatumo has witnessed how knowledge can remain purely theoretical. The Ladnaan Method developed from a need to turn inspiration into practical change. It is based on ten years of research and has been tested in several municipalities – and the results are clear: when a parental support programme is adapted to be both culturally sensitive and structured, the mental health of both children and parents can be improved, and their relationship can be strengthened.
– The Ladnaan Method fills a real need within society. I hope that it can be used more widely in Sweden and that I can continue to develop and evaluate it in new contexts, says Fatumo Osman.
The method combines inspirational lectures with interactive workshops and gives staff a means by which they can meet cultural and structural challenges. It also addresses how misinformation and a lack of trust in authorities can affect parenthood and how to work with these constructively.
– What makes me especially proud is when staff tell me how they were able, the very next day, to make use of something from the training during a meeting with a family. That’s when I know it’s not just words, it’s change that is happening, says Fatumo Osman.
For her, the Ladnaan Method is more than simply a research project. It’s a way to generate trust and build bridges between people, cultures, and social structures. And the journey, she believes, has only just begun.
Facts: the Ladnaan Method
- Builds on ten years of research and proven experience.
- Helps municipalities to connect with and support hard-to-reach families, in particular parents who are new to Sweden.
- Combines lectures and workshops to create lasting change.
- Has shown positive results for the mental health of children and their parents, and also for relationships.
