The Profession from the inside: a meeting with probation service professionals

On 26 October 2026, a guest lecture featuring probation service practitioners was held for Bachelor’s degree students majoring in I10 “Social Work and Counselling” at Berdyansk State Pedagogical University (BSPU). The event was organised as part of the course Social Work in the Penitentiary and Probation Systems for students enrolled in the educational and professional programmes Social Work and Social Pedagogy and Social and Psychological Support for Resilience.

The guest lecture provided future professionals with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the probation system, learn about the professional responsibilities of probation officers, and see how theoretical concepts are applied in real-life situations. The speakers’ practical experience was particularly valuable in illustrating various aspects of working with individuals subject to probation.

The speakers were Viktoriia Melnyk, a specialist at the Zavodskyi District Department of the State Institution “Probation Centre” branch in Dnipropetrovsk Region, and Natalia Savina, a senior inspector at the Fortetskyi District Department of the State Institution “Probation Centre” branch in Kirovohrad Region.

Viktoriia Melnyk delivered a presentation entitled “Individuals Subject to Probation: An Original Typology and Practical Experience”, focusing on the importance of understanding the personality of individuals involved in the probation system. The speaker compared the traditional approach, which focuses on the relevant article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, age, and formal compliance with established regulations and procedures, with her own practice-oriented approach. The latter emphasises an individual’s psychological characteristics, values, social status, life experience, and behavioural patterns. Particular attention was given to the speaker’s original typology, which explored the diverse characteristics of individuals subject to probation. The categories discussed included Generation Z, representing the digitally native generation; individuals with military and combat experience; and those characterised by self-discipline and a strong commitment to rules.

Viktoriia Melnyk illustrated each category with specific examples from her professional practice. These examples demonstrated the importance of understanding an individual’s personal characteristics, life circumstances, values, and ways of interacting with others. The formal characteristics of an offence alone cannot provide a complete picture of a person, their needs, or their potential for positive change. The presentation encouraged students to reflect on the fact that professional work with individuals subject to probation requires more than knowledge of legal requirements. It also demands the ability to analyse behaviour, recognise individual differences, and identify an appropriate approach to each person.

Concluding her presentation, Viktoriia Melnyk emphasised a fundamental principle: a person is first and foremost an individual, not merely a criminal case or a file on paper. This perspective makes it possible to combine professional responsibility with respect for human dignity and an understanding of each person’s capacity for change.

Natalia Savina focused her presentation on the general principles of probation, probation programmes for adults subject to probation, the preparation of pre-sentence reports, and the implementation of probation supervision. Drawing on examples from her professional experience, the speaker explained the nature and specific features of probation officers’ work. Students gained a better understanding of how pre-sentence reports are prepared, why it is important to examine an individual’s life circumstances, and how probation supervision is organised. Particular attention was devoted to probation programmes for adults. Their discussion illustrated how professional interventions can address identified issues, encourage individuals to take responsibility for their behaviour, and help create the conditions necessary for positive change. Through practical examples, students became familiar with various aspects of probation work and saw that it extends beyond monitoring compliance with established requirements. It involves a comprehensive approach, consideration of individual circumstances, and the application of professional tools tailored to specific objectives.

Natalia Savina’s presentation complemented the discussion of the personal characteristics of individuals subject to probation by providing a practical understanding of how probation services operate and how their activities are guided by legal requirements and professional procedures.

For Bachelor’s degree students majoring in I10 “Social Work and Counselling”, the meeting with probation practitioners provided an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Social Work in the Penitentiary and Probation Systems and relate the course material to real professional tasks.

It is particularly important for future professionals to understand that working with people experiencing difficult life circumstances or in conflict with the law requires a combination of specialised knowledge, analytical thinking, communication skills, and adherence to ethical principles.

The speakers’ experience demonstrated that professional competence develops not only through the study of theoretical concepts and legal documents. Opportunities to examine real-life situations, understand the reasoning behind professional decisions, and observe how general principles are applied in specific cases are equally important.

Involving practitioners in the educational process broadens students’ professional horizons, helps them better understand the nature of their future work, and strengthens their awareness of the responsibilities associated with social support and probation services.

The guest lecture “The Profession from the Inside: A Meeting with Probation Service Professionals” exemplified the interaction between university education and the professional community. By combining an original practice-oriented approach to understanding individuals subject to probation with an examination of professional procedures and real-life situations, the event provided students with a comprehensive insight into different aspects of the probation system.

For the Department of Social Work and Inclusive Education at BSPU, such meetings are an important component of practice-oriented professional training. High-quality professional education involves not only acquiring knowledge but also developing the ability to apply it when working with people, understand the complexity of their life experiences, and recognise opportunities for positive change.

Prepared based on materials provided
by the Department of Social Work and Inclusive Education