While working for child protective services, you get a call from a neighbor of the Johnson family. She tells you that the three Johnson children, ages 15, 13, and 9, come home after school to an empty house and have adult supervision once Mrs. Johnson gets home from work at about 8:00 at night. When you meet the family, you learn that the oldest child makes dinner for the others and keeps an eye on them. Mrs. Johnson tells you that her husband left a year ago and that she was on public assistance until several months ago when she found this job. She stresses that she wants to be a role model for her children and support the family by working. After months of looking, this job was the only one she could find that would support the children. The children seem to accept the situation and be healthy.

Explain what elements of this case study make a dilemma. How would you respond to this dilemma by approaching this situation from the basis of social work values and imagining yourself as the case worker in this scenario? Explain your reasoning thoroughly, citing social work values (Appendix A may be helpful).