A free school dinner, is not the answer to needing to be in care, sadly.
No, but there are many cases where it is not so clear what it best. What we do know is that for kids from very poor or abusive homes, school is often the best place for them. Teachers can keep an eye on them, report if they see signs of harm. Education is often the best route out of poverty. One way to encourage kids into school is to offer them hot meals they don't get at home. Plus, kids learn better when well nourished.
In short, feeding kids creates a happier and more prosperous society. The cause for their hunger is irrelevant, the focus should be in providing a safe environment now and feeing them now.
The government could very easily change policy to make it easier to accomplish this 52 weeks a year, but instead they are taking the line that the system already provides. But the evidence shows that it is not.
A friend is a teacher, I wasn't so sure about the news of all these hungry, starving British kids. But he confirmed it, every day he sees hungry kids, kids who skip lunch because their parents haven't put money on their lunch card, but also not enrolled for support.
Although many people, teachers included, don't think schools should have to be responsible or this, the fact is that schools are the only opportunity for society to identify and help resolve these problems.
A lot of local councils, charities and private companies are stepping in, but this just reminds me of these: