Exploratory studies in two German federal states (NRW 2019, MV 2020-21) have examined the question of whether and how the far right has an impact on social work. After an introduction to the growing influence of the far right across Europe (1) and its relationship to social work (2), a brief outline of the regional context (3) and the methodological approach of the two studies (4) are described. After a presentation of the overall results (5) and a more detailed description of the central categories (6), the summary of the impact of influences on social work (7) and the implications for social work are discussed (8).

The results show that the influences are present across all fields of social work and all regions of both federal states examined in Germany. The far right's own social offers instrumentalise charitable activities for political messages and organised educational offers within closed scenes exist with a high degree of continuity. Attempts to exert external influence, especially by political actors, have increased and in some cases have taken on a drastic character, even reaching the stage of mass threats and physical attacks. Finally, the findings also point to shifts within professional social work. These are reflected in undemocratic and inhumane practices as well as specific exclusions. The findings suggest that it is necessary to make the far right's influences visible and to formulate a common institutionalised response within the profession that is effective in countering these attacks.