The study examines the relationship between social work and power in Hungary in light of the processes of professionalization and deprofessionalization. Through an overview of various theoretical approaches to power, the author highlights that power is both a capacity and a social relation, fundamentally shaping the functioning of social work. The relationship between social work and power is interpreted through the concepts of the dual and triple mandate, emphasizing the importance of balancing state, client, and professional interests. The study presents the main stages in the institutionalization of social work in Hungary, as well as the structural problems - such as excessive regulation, dependence on state funding, labour shortages, and limited professional autonomy that contribute to the process of deprofessionalisation. The author also addresses the decline of empowerment, the lack of political participation, and the differing role of the civil sector. These domestic developments are placed within a broader international and political context, with particular attention to the effects of neoliberal and illiberal trends, as well as the emergence of care policy. In conclusion, the study proposes ways to reclaim the power of social work, emphasizing the role of professional knowledge, ethics, and community, as well as the necessity of active political advocacy.